Time to dig into the mail bag and answer " The" most asked weather question of the past couple of weeks. Please read the following--

When is the snow coming ??????????? I guess if you knew that, your job would be a ton easier huh?

Crazy, last year (I think it was) we had skiing going on right now, and nothing now..... ARGH!

I won't blame you like some of your co-workers do J (Cough Mrs. Barry cough ..) hahahaha

Good day sir!

Rob St.Helen

Rob, you're not alone in wanting snow on the mountains. I get 40 to 50 emails everyday from viewers, in the last week about 25% have been asking the same question. Snow? Where the heck is the snow?

My answer is, snow is on the mountain, just not enough to ski on. Overnight Timberline Lodge picked up 3 inches new snow. That gives them a base of--wait for it-- 9 inches. That's hardly enough to begin ski operations.

Over the next 4 to 5 days I don't see the mountains picking up anymore snow. Certainly not at lower elevations. See my 7 day forecast below.

Just one year ago both Timberline Lodge and Mt Hood Meadows were in operation. Timberline actually started running lifts on November 20th. A week before Thanksgiving.

Ok now I'll bring a glimmer of hope to this otherwise dreary posting. I've been studying the long range computer models the last couple of days. A few things have to fall into place but, (insert meteorologist escape clause) I think we'll see a big change in our snowfall fortunes early next week.

The weather chart above is snap shot 7 days into the future. More accurately it's the best guess our long range models have. The chart is hard to read but it shows the Jet Stream aimed right at the Pacific Northwest. If the models are right it means start waxing your skis buy your snow park permit and find your tire chains. Snow and lots of it will be on the way.

Dave