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RE: [STORMREPORTS] Photos of the 50-inch snowfall in Garrett County MD

From: New Flyer (newflyer3{at}yahoo.com)
Date: Fri Feb 21 2003 - 10:24:04 EST

I live in Garrett County. Mr Lester, a resident in nearby West Virginia, should know that often there is an extreme range of snowfall accumulations over a short distance in this region. One spot can receive 10" and 10 miles away 25". Such variations are very common in this area, due to topography, elevation, etc.
Regarding this storm: I have been observing weather for 30 plus years and consider myself a careful and accurate observer.At Deep Creek Lake, I measured 8" on Saturday, 28" on Sunday, 8" on Monday, and 2" on Tuesday. Total was 46". Melted was 2.30". Considering the temps were in single digits throughout the storm, such ratios seem normal. The snow DID pack down quickly in the storng wind, so the added depth on top of what was already on the ground was approx. 26". I have a 24" cover at the start of the storm and 50" on Tuesday.
The 50" snowfall he is speaking about was measured at Keyer's Ridge, which often has the most snow in the county. They are amongst the highest spot in the county and the topography favors enhanced snowfall there. The "offical" NWS coop reading was at Webbers Florist in Mountain Lake Park, near Oakland. They OFTEN record less (sometimes far less) snow than others anywhere in Garrett Couty and I sometimes wonder about how they measure snow. Is suspect they may only measure once a day, while Keyser's Ridge (and me) measure 4 times daily. However, it is very often the case that Oakland does indeed seem to receive less snow and a drive down there a couple of days ago showed less snow on the ground than where I live at Deep Creek Lake.
Regarding NWS LWX not including Garrett County data in their write up, they never have included us. Garrett County is forecast from the PIT NWS office, not Sterling VA.

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