By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
April 1, 2008

The recent wintry blast of weather has brought snow levels on Mount Hood far above normal.

Hydrologist Jon Lea, the state’s snow survey specialist, physically takes monthly measurements at a Sno-tel site and compares to other sites based in a ring around the mountain.

His latest visit was last Thursday, when he measured 216 inches of snowpack at the base of a ski chair lift.

“That site is 148 percent of average,” Lea said. “If you consider all the stations on Mt. Hood, we’re at 181 percent of average.”

Lea called the snowpack “very good” for water supplies this year. But he is concerned about potential flooding.

“What we don’t want to have happen is a long warm rain storm coming over with lots of tropical moisture and heat,” he said. “That could certainly cause some problems with all that snow pack.”

Overall, the state’s snow pack is at 151 percent of average. Lea said this is the most snow statewide since 1999 when the snowpack was at 161 percent of average.

Concerns about the late winter conditions prompted Oregon Department of Transportation officials to extend the deadline to take off studded snow tires. The Washington Department of Transportation made the same decision so drivers in both states have until Saturday, April 5, to remove studded snow tires.