.author-name { display: none; }
Dust Free So Far and Healthy Snowpack

Dust Free So Far and Healthy Snowpack

Dust Free So Far and Healthy Snowpack

Greetings From Silverton, 

Despite a dry and lackadaisical start to winter, persistent snowcover in Senator Beck occurred on November 21, we have seen a major turn-around with a steady stream of productive storms.  We have received eight winter storms so far (Storm #8 Report will follow shortly) that in and of themselves have totaled ~10.0" of water.  Snow depth at Swamp Angel is at 4.5’ and the wind effected Senator Beck site is lingering around 1.5’.

Center for Snow Update: November 1st, 2016

Center for Snow Update: November 1st, 2016

Greetings from Silverton, Colorado - 

I hope our readers had a very enjoyable summer/fall.  The summer flew by here at Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies catching up on projects that got pushed aside while we were monitoring the spring snowpack, performing summer station maintenance, and preparing for the coming winter.  I was hoping this beginning of the snow season update would coincide with a storm report detailing a big event to kick off WY2016.  But, unfortunately the month of October in the San Juan Mountains has been a bit dry.  Measured precipitation the month of October at the Swamp Angel Study Plot in our Senator Beck Study Basin (SBSB) was 0.75 (19 mm).  At Red Mountain SNOTEL, located exactly 1-mile the way the crow flies, measured precipitation was 0.60" (15 mm). We saw some nice precipitation events in August and September, some of which included snow at higher elevations but have since melted.  These Aug/Sept precipitation events resulted in bumps in streamflow higher than the norm, but currently we are seeing discharge a tad below normal. Concurrently, soil moisture conditions are in lower percentiles throughout most of the State.       

WY 2016 Season Summary

WY 2016 Season Summary

The result of a “Godzilla” El Nino year was basically an overall average statewide snowpack.  The entire state started off WY2016 with a bang building the snowpack at a higher rate than average Oct/Nov/Dec/Jan.  In February conditions took a turn for the worse with dry/warm weather lasting until mid-March for northern Colorado, and being much more severe and lasting until latter March for southern Colorado.  Northern locales recovered nicely from this dry stretch but the Rio Grande, Gunnison, and Animas/Dolores struggled the remainder of the season.  The month of May was generally overcast, cooler than average, and brought multiple precipitation events, putting a damper on snowmelt until conditions turned very warm the very end of May.  Many streams in southern Colorado saw peak discharge, well above their median values, around the June 5-10 timeframe.   

June 13 Update: Snow All Gone at SASP, Wolf Creek, and Grand Mesa

June 13 Update: Snow All Gone at SASP, Wolf Creek, and Grand Mesa

Greetings from Silverton,

Site visits to CODOS study plots at Grand Mesa on June 7, Swamp Angel Study Plot (SASP) on June 9, and Wolf Creek on June 10, revealed snow-all-gone (SAG) at all locations.  As the photos shown below illustrate, snow is either totally gone (Wolf Cr.) or exists only in thin, patchy areas.  Snow is mostly present in heavily treed areas and higher elevations, and predominately on northerly aspects.  All dust layers are merged at the surface of the snow.  Just like the other CODOS sites with dust, an “all-layers-merged” (ALM) sample was collected at each of these locations and sent to our USGS collaborators for chemical analyses for inter-site comparison.

June 3 Update – Central and Northern CODOS Site Visit

June 3 Update – Central and Northern CODOS Site Visit

SUMMARY

Final CODOS visits were conducted at Grizzly Peak (Loveland Pass), Hoosier, Berthoud, and Willow Creek Pass on Wednesday, June 1.  During this CODOS tour, comparatively weak dust-on-snow, likely from event D5, was observed at all sites except Willow Creek.  “All layers merged” (ALM) samples of this dust were collected at Berthoud Pass, Grizzly Peak, and Hoosier Pass.  These ALM samples were sent to our USGS collaborators for chemical and other analyses, for inter-site comparisons.

DUST-ON-SNOW CONDITIONS

During this CODOS circuit of Hoosier, Grizzly Peak (Loveland Pass), Berthoud, and Willow Creek Pass dust was observed at the snowpack surface on all aspects and elevations besides in the vicinity of Willow Creek.  All of these sites went the majority of winter without receiving dust until likely D5 (and D4 at Hoosier Pass), occurring on April 23, since that was the only significant dust event since the last CODOS trip.  Dust was barely distinguishable on the landscape and, if viewed from a distance, the snowcover appeared “clean”.  But dust was easily noticeable where ski tracks, sluffing, or avalanches disturbed the snow surface, exposing the clean snow underneath.  To the southwest, surface dust loadings appear greater along the Collegiate Peaks and near Monarch Pass.  This all means a slight but still meaningful reduction in snow albedo and accompanying increased absorption of solar radiation for the remainder of the snowmelt period.

WILLOW CREEK PASS:

The Willow Creek Pass CODOS snow profile site in the foreground, completely clear of snow.  Willow Creek Pass SNOTEL, located in the trees in the far part of the picture, shows 5” of remaining SWE.

Willow Creek Pass CODOS sample area. Besides north facing, heavily treed areas, snowcover has mostly retreated to higher elevations.

Willow Creek Pass looking towards Parkview Mountain.

BERTHOUD PASS:

Berthoud Pass CODOS sample site.  The beginnings of the snow pit show the contrast between the slightly dusty snow surface and the cleaner snow underneath.  

Berthoud Pass CODOS sample area.  Higher concentrations of dust are seen in slight depressions of the snow surface.

LOVELAND PASS (GRIZZLY PEAK):

Grizzly Peak CODOS snow profile. 

Picture taken from Grizzly Peak sample site on June 1.  About 1.5’ of snow depth (6.6” of SWE) remains at the CODOS site, located in a clearing a few hundred feet from Grizzly SNOTEL, next to the tower visible in the background.  Grizzly SNOTEL reported 5.4” of SWE on June 1.  Over the past 8 days since May 26, SWE has decreased a total of 5”.

Loveland Pass on June 1.  With thinning snowcover, solar radiation absorbed by the ground and vegetation are then re-emitted as thermal (longwave) energy, and rapidly accelerating snowmelt around their perimeter.

Loveland Pass on June 1.  Slight dust present but not visible in photo.

HOOSIER PASS:

Hoosier Pass snow profile.  Dust event D4 was noted at this CODOS site on April 15.  Since then, with Loveland and Berthoud Pass having received dust from event D5, it was very likely deposited in this location as well, combining with D4.   

Photo of Hoosier Pass CODOS sample area.  The cleaner blocks from the snow pit can be seen in the foreground.  

Photo taken from Hoosier Pass CODOS site looking at Mt. Bross.  Similar to Berthoud and Loveland Pass, dust deposition in this area is light.  Further to the southwest the Collegiate Peaks received a greater amount of dust deposition.

 

PRECIPITATION AND STREAM DISCHARGE

 

Looking at spring precipitation (see Mar/Apr/May Precip Variance plot below), the Central and Southern Mountains recovered pretty well from a dry February and March.  All major watersheds experienced a series of storm events since mid-April that resulted in further snowpack development.  Many SNOTEL sites, particularly in the Southern Mountains, were exhibiting deficits on May 15 that since have largely recovered by June 1.  The Northern Mountains, with the exception of Grizzly Peak, have seen spring precipitation on average 25% above the long term mean. The overall average variance for the 15 stations is 3% above the long term mean, with a maximum range between stations of 51%.  

Current cumulative precipitation for WY2016 at Senator Beck is the third highest, albeit not by much, in our 13 year record.  Yet, WY2016 is ranked only ninth highest in cumulative winter storm count (see plots below).  One explanation is we have received a number of storms this winter season that barely fell short of our definition of a storm, requiring at least 12 mm of precipitation with no gap in precipitation greater than 12 hours.  Also, on at least one occasion we received multiple storm systems with no gap in precipitation, making it difficult to designate precipitation totals for each storm. 

Combined March, April, and May precipitation, through June 1, 2016.   On May 15, 2016, precipitation had fallen short of average for ten of these fifteen SNOTEL stations adjacent to or near CODOS monitoring sites.  Since May 15, all stations recorded improved cumulative totals, with average change in percent deviation from the mean increasing 12%. Overall, the average variance for the 15 stations is 3% above the long term mean. 

Cumulative precipitation as of June 1, 2016.  WY2016, so far, is the third highest (barely) in our 13 year record.

Cumulative winter storm count for 13 years at Senator Beck Basin.  WY2016 is currently ranked ninth in the number of documented winter storms.

These final precipitation data will change the CODOS Dust Enhanced Runoff Classification (DERC) for a number of hydrographs.  Within the DERC model, there are many instances where WY2016 classification does not have a previous water year equivalent.  Nonetheless, the next best prior water year(s) may provide useful insights into the remainder of the spring 2016 snowmelt runoff cycle (see CODOS site webpages for updated hydrographs and for the complete DERC hydrograph database for these watersheds).  An updated chart is provided below.  Items highlighted in bold indicate there was no prior water year that fits the current WY2016 scenario for that particular watershed:

May 31 CODOS Update: D2-D6 Merged at SASP

May 31 CODOS Update: D2-D6 Merged at SASP

Greetings from Silverton,

Together, with the emergence of D5/D6 as reported in the May 22 Update, along with the subsequent sunny and warm weather that followed, the snowpack at SASP has quickly melted to where dust layers D2-D6 are now merged at the surface.

May 22 Update:  D5/D6 Emergence at SASP

May 22 Update: D5/D6 Emergence at SASP

As mentioned in the May 16th Update,  dust event #5 (D5) and #6 (D6) for WY2016 was ~4” beneath the snow surface at our Swamp Angel Study Plot (SASP), with full dust emergence being noted for some time at lower elevations and higher southerly aspects in the San Juan Mountains and Gunnison Basin.   

Over the past week, with the passing of unsettled weather May 16-19, D5/D6 are now emerged at SASP.  Meltwater and rain caused a fair bit of dust leaching downward about 5” from the top of the snowpack.  Regardless, with dust emergence snow albedo will be reduced accompanied with increased snow melt rates at these elevations (~11,060’).  D4 is located directly underneath D5/D6, and even though has not fully merged with D5/D6, will do so very quickly.  Albedo at SASP decreased a good deal since May 13 when I reported D6/D5 to be 11 cm (4”) under the surface.  At that time mid-afternoon albedo at SASP was on average 60%, compared to 44%, today, May 22. With dust events D2-D6 occupying the top 35 cm (14”) of the snowpack, and with full emergence of D5/D6, snow surface albedo will continue to decline as the snow melts downward, accumulating dust layers D4, D3, and D2 at the surface of the snow, increasing melt rates as it progresses.  The remaining 1.17 m (4’) of snow underlying D2 will melt under intensified dust enhanced conditions as D2-D6 are merged at the surface. 

May 16 Update – San Juan Mountains and Gunnison Basin

May 16 Update – San Juan Mountains and Gunnison Basin

SUMMARY

Site visits were conducted at our Swamp Angel Study Plot (SASP) in Senator Beck Basin (SBB), Spring Creek Pass, Wolf Creek Pass, Park Cone, and McClure Pass CODOS monitoring sites (see a map of CODOS sites).  Since mid-April we have seen further snowpack development due to a steady series of storm events.  Late April and May snow accumulation at higher elevations has done a passable job of keeping majority of dust covered during the clear and sunny skies from May 1-5 and over the last few days (May 11-15).  Lower elevations in the San Juan region are seeing dust events #5 and #6 (D5 and D6), and possibly D2-D4, fully exposed on the snowpack surface.  The forecast for the Colorado Mountains over the next 4 days calls for at least a chance of precipitation with some locations (Breckenridge, Winter Park) under a winter weather advisory.  Today, over the last 12 hours, we have received Storm #24 at SASP.   Between April 12 and May 16, SASP has seen 22 days (22 days out of 35) with measurable precipitation.     

DUST-ON-SNOW CONDITIONS

No new dust-on-snow events were observed at our SBB sentry site since the D6-WY2016 event on April 25 (see Dust Log).  The total WY2016 mass of mineral dust deposited to-date at the SASP is 11.165 grams per square meter (11 g/m2), approximately similar loadings as WY2011 and WY2012 (see Mass Loading Data).  June dust-on-snow events are comparatively rare, but we still have a couple weeks left in the month of May.

May 6: CODOS General Update

May 6: CODOS General Update

Greetings from Silverton,

We conducted the CODOS tour the middle of April and finished a few sites on April 22.  Starting on April 25 (along with a D5 event on April 23 and D6 event on April 25) most of the Colorado mountains experienced a week of stormy weather that mostly arrested or slowed down snow melt as seen in many stream gauges.  After these last few days of warm, sunny weather, we have seen an uptick of stream flow.  Now, the forecast for the next 4-5 days is for increased cloud cover, a cooling trend, and chance of precipitation in the form of rain or snow at higher elevations.  Depending on how much precipitation in the form of rain we receive, along with general weather conditions, will of course determine how much this uptick in stream discharge continues.  Rain, especially if accompanied with a moist, warm air mass that sits on the snow, can increase the energy inputs and ramp up melt on an already ripe snowpack.  When warm and sunny conditions return, southern Colorado where dust is at or near the surface of the snow, will see dust enhanced snow melt.  Northern areas of Colorado, that have remained dust free since our last field observations in middle/latter April, will see a more "natural" snow melt scenario in terms of not being influenced by the increased solar absorption of dust on the snowpack surface. 

 

April 29 CODOS Update: D6 Very Faint

April 29 CODOS Update: D6 Very Faint

Greetings from Silverton,

Dust event #6 was deposited as a wet event with the storm system arriving April 25-26 at Senator Beck Basin.  It is an extremely faint event and was deposited with 2" of snow.  This 2" band of snow is beneath ~2" of "clean" snow accumulated over the last few days.  I did not attach any pictures showing D6 since it does not come across very noticeably.  We have been working on Storm #20 here at SBB since Monday, April 25.  The storm systems have been stacked on top of each other allowing no break in precipitation greater than 12 hours, which would define the end of a storm.  For our purposes, a storm is defined as at least 12mm (0.47") of precipitation with no break greater than 12 hours.       

Fortunately, much of the dust source area, in and around the Southern Colorado Plateau, has received some precipitation over the last few days (from Trace amounts in Winslow, AZ to ~0.33" in the Bluff, UT area) and the forecast calls for a chance of showers over the next 3 days.  The majority of USGS dust camera images show trace snow and overcast/foggy conditions as of the morning of Friday, April 29.  Hopefully enough precipitation has fallen to keep dust from mobilizing should these active storm tracks and winds speeds conspire to create another potential dust event. 

April CODOS Tour Update for Berthoud and Loveland Pass

April CODOS Tour Update for Berthoud and Loveland Pass

Summary

The majority of the April CODOS tour was accomplished just prior to a significant closed low pressure system that set up over the four corners region and deposited at least 1” of precipitation at most CODOS sites across the state from April 15-17.  We postponed visiting Grizzly Peak (Loveland Pass) and Berthoud Pass until the storm subsided and allowed safe travel (mainly from other motorists) to these sites.  

Both Berthoud and Loveland Pass, as of April 22, were dust free.  On April 14, Willow Creek and Rabbit Ears Pass were also dust free.  If these four CODOS sample locations have not received dust from D5 – occurring Saturday, April 23 – then they remain the only CODOS locations in the state, to date, that will not have snowmelt impacted by dust.  

D5 Documented at Senator Beck Basin, and D6 Possibly Coming Very Soon

D5 Documented at Senator Beck Basin, and D6 Possibly Coming Very Soon

Greetings from Silverton,

Saturday, April 23 dust event #5 (D5) came through Senator Beck Basin here on Red Mountain Pass bringing moderate to heavy amounts of dust, definitely the biggest dust event so far this season.  This event deposited dust on the 4-5" of "clean" snow that accumulated during the April 15-18 storm (see photos below). Wind gusts as high as 70 mph began approximately 3pm on Friday continuing until 7pm on Saturday.  This dust event is easily visible on all aspects and elevations with snow.  A lot of dust concentrated around the lee side of drifts and terrain.

And.....a D6 event is possible today/tomorrow.  An upper level low is pushing across the great basin today and our area tomorrow.  Ahead of the low, strong southwest winds are expected with the strongest over the four corners north into the Paradox Valley.  We will keep you posted.

Also, the site visit to Berthoud Pass and Loveland Pass (Grizzly Peak) on Friday, April 22 to complete our April CODOS circuit revealed no dust at both locations.  A complete summary report on these two sites will be completed and posted to the CODOS website shortly.

As always, we welcome observations and photos from folks around the state.  

More Soon,

Jeff Derry

April WY2016 CODOS Tour Update

April WY2016 CODOS Tour Update

April WY2016 CODOS Tour Update:

Summary

The majority of the April CODOS tour was accomplished just prior to the very significant closed low pressure system that set up over the four corners region and deposited at least 1” of precipitation at most CODOS sites across the state.  The bulk of this storm occurred Friday, April 15 through Sunday, April 17.  This spring storm brought high winds ahead of, and with, the precipitation, but as of this writing it appears dust did not accompany the storm.   The Hoosier Pass site was visited late in the day on Friday, April 15 and the intense snowfall, snow packed roads, and chaotic traffic conditions prevented us from continuing on and visiting the last two locations on our April CODOS tour, Grizzly Peak (Loveland Pass) and Berthoud Pass.  Following the posting of this trip summary, these two sites will be visited and a separate report issued. 

During the CODOS tour April 13-15, dust events D2 (occurring Feb. 19) and D3 (March 22), and D4 (March 28), were at and/or near the surface of the snowpack at central and southern sites.  Locations that so far have escaped dust altogether are Rabbit Ears Pass, Willow Creek Pass, and possibly Berthoud Pass and Grizzly Peak.  Hoosier Pass, which was dust free last month, received D3 as a minor event.  Some CODOS sites are rapidly approaching “snow all gone” (McClure, Spring Creek, Park Cone) but others have just now reached isothermal conditions (Rabbit Ears, Hoosier).  During, and following the storm event April 15-17, streamflow surging has lost momentum and even reversed in most watersheds due to the stormy weather and restoration of high albedo to most snow cover.  

In addition to this information being provided below, we have posted the snow profiles just performed and new photos on each CODOS site’s webpage, as well as hydrographs and SWE graphs.  Below you will also find a discussion for each location visited.  Using the Dust Enhanced Runoff Classification (DERC) approach, links to hydrographs of the CODOS sites from WY2006-2015 are collated and presented to help with ascertaining what this Spring runoff scenario might look like.  We anticipate at least one additional circuit of our ten CODOS sites this season as well as intensive monitoring at Senator Beck Basin (SBB).

 

Multivariable Plots

It is my ongoing goal to present data in a clear and informative manner so that users can quickly and easily view, interpret, and digest data for their intended purpose.  One approach to help accomplish this is to provide comprehensive plots of data that summarize a particular CODOS site.  The intention is to continually improve, build upon, and expand these plots over time.  

When viewing plots, please consider:    

  • SWE from the CSAS snow profiles are provided to show a possible range of values at a site.  It is important to keep in mind SNOTEL stations, with few exceptions such as Berthoud Pass, are in heavily forested areas.  CODOS data are collected in open clearings in the vicinity of the SNOTEL stations.  
  • The date designating an isothermal snowpack is based on direct CODOS snow profile observations.  The snowpack could likely have reached isothermal conditions before the date specified.  
  • At SASP, a mass loading of each dust event is provided.  At other locations a qualitative descriptor is provided based on field observations. 
  • When a dust event occurs, detected primarily at our Senator Beck Study Basin, the date is marked on the SNOTEL SWE plot, indicating what SWE may accumulate on top of this dust layer or if it is exposed and remains exposed.  On-site observations from CODOS snow profiles and surrounding landscape are used to modify the plots. 

Dust Event D4: March 28-29

Dust Event D4: March 28-29

Dust Event D4: March 28-29

Greetings from Silverton,

Event D4 arrived Monday, March 28 and ushered in a series of storms that lasted until Thursday.  

The official storm (Storm #18) came through Senator Beck Basin starting between 1500-1600 on Monday, March 28 thru 400 Wednesday, March 30.  The storm was preceded with strong S'ly winds and the beginnings of dust (see wind rose below).  

March 27, 2016: CODOS Update

March 27, 2016: CODOS Update

March 27, 2016: CODOS Update –  

SUMMARY 

The timing of our Colorado Dust-on-Snow (CODOS) fieldwork has been tricky with attempts to work around multiple storm systems, but during a complete circuit of all eleven CODOS program monitoring sites, from March 19-23, 2016, we documented a complete absence of dust-on-snow at the north and northeast monitoring locations, and dust within and/or on the surface of the snow at the remaining central and southern locations.  However, on Tuesday, March 22, dust event #3 for WY2016 (D3) occurred during the latter portion of the trip, so it is possible these sites that were dust free prior to March 22, now have dust (as well as the other sites) near the surface of the snowpack.  The morning after D3 occurred the CODOS team visited Wolf Creek Pass, Spring Creek Pass, and our Swamp Angel study plot and documented the severity of the event, findings are discussed below.  Since March 1stsnow water equivalent (SWE) information from SNOTEL sites that we originally characterized as low or average in the Southern Basins has largely deteriorated, and we have also recorded isothermal or near isothermal snowpack temperatures at a couple CODOS locations.  SNOTEL data indicate Northern Basins have seen an overall increase in SWE, based on percentage of median values. Current near-term weather products indicate a slight reduced precipitation probability compared to the mid-February forecast, likely since we are approaching summer and a transition to ENSO-neutral is likely during late Northern Hemisphere spring or early summer.  Temperature probability forecasts have also evolved from normal/below normal to above normal over this same period.   Still, the prediction of a greater chance of precipitation than normal suggest there remains the possibility of maintaining, or improving snowpack conditions close to median Peak SWE in most Colorado watersheds.  WY2016 March 1st SWE conditions ranged from “Low” to “High” on the Dust Enhanced Runoff Classification (DERC) model and are now trending, as of late March, “Dry” to “Avg” for spring precipitation conditions within that March 1st SWE domain.  This being an active period for dust-on-snow events, it is still too early to characterize dust conditions as being either “Min”, “Avg”, or “Max” for the winter season.     

DUST CONDITIONS 

We are now nearly a month into the March/April/May dust-on-snow season with a total of three dust-on-snow events having been observed so far at the Senator Beck Basin site at Red Mountain Pass, and dust was observed at half of our other ten CODOS sites during the March 19-23, 2016 circuit. Typically the San Juan Mountains receive 8-9 dust-on-snow events a winter, based on observations going back to 2005.  Storm opportunities are also dust opportunities, and the Senator Beck sentry site is starting to fall behind on storm counts (defined as greater than 12 mm of precipitation with no break in precipitation greater than 12 hours).   By this point in the season the average storm events having occurred is 19 (see graph below)That said, after the storm on March 23 we are now at Storm #16, and as of this writing Saturday morning, March 26, we are now receiving Storm #17.  Five of the now 17 storms have occurred in the last 2-months.  Near-term forecasts call for a greater than average chance of precipitation (see forecast discussion below) and this implies, coupled with the necessary soil, weather, and wind conditions, an increased chance of more dust-on-snow events for Colorado from SW’ly wind fields over the Southern Colorado Plateau.   

CODOS Dust Alert: D3

CODOS Dust Alert: D3

CODOS Dust Alert: D3

Greetings from Silverton,

On Tuesday, March 22, dust event #3 (D3) began in the afternoon in the San Juan Mountain region.  Then (at Senator Beck Study Basin), starting approximately 8 pm that evening, snowfall started covering the newly deposited dust with 13" (33 cm) of clean snow by the following evening. 

Haze Alert, Storm #15, etc...

Haze Alert, Storm #15, etc...

The ridge that was sitting over much of the West that had us pinned down, making us suffer a mostly dry and warm February, has finely moved on.  Yesterday and last night a passing, wet storm has deposited approximately 1' of new snow at Swamp Angel Study Plot. The next system will be near the California/ Mexico border tonight and may bring minor snow accumulations Tuesday and Wednesday.  Other storms are sitting over the western and central Pacific Ocean, so it seems that we have a basic Spring pattern in place, and, while the strength of the El Nino is predicted to decrease in boreal spring, it is probable (according to NWS) that El Nino conditions will remain strong most of March....We'll see.  

CODOS Update - March 1 SWE Conditions

CODOS Update - March 1 SWE Conditions

SUMMARY

Colorado has begun March with average conditions dominating the range of snowpack conditions among the major basins across the Colorado mountain system.  This Update evaluates March 1st snow water equivalent (SWE) data from Snotel stations associated with our eleven CODOS sites and places them within the framework of the Dust Enhanced Runoff Classification scheme (DERC) developed by CODOS.  This Update summarizes the state by Basin, and provides a site-specific analyses for each CODOS site (linked below). 

D2 for WY2016 at Senator Beck Basin

D2 for WY2016 at Senator Beck Basin

Many of you who live on the Western Slope and experienced the high wind event yesterday and last night likely anticipated this e-mail, but dust season has resumed at Senator Beck Basin.  At Swamp Angel Study Plot this (Friday, February 19) morning, a very noticeable new dust layer D2-WY 2016 was deposited ‘wet’, overnight last night, along with 2 mm of precipitation.