Snow in Eight States in June, but Is It Unusual?
Snowfall was reported this week in seven states, according to the map below: California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, and New Hampshire (Mount Washington). But since the (probably automated) weather station at Mullen Pass, Idaho is reporting snow today, we'll add that state as well (even though there aren't any cams there). That's a total of eight continental U.S. states!
But is this unusual? Maybe, but it's no record. Looking at past records for Mount Ranier, Washington (where there is snow on the ground today, per the camera there - see below). It averages about 6 inches in June, but has seen up to 47.5" during the month. Only one year since 2000 has featured no snow in June.
Mount Washington, New Hampshire has recorded 2.2" of snow this month, versus and average of 1.2" (max of 8.1"). They had enough to build a snowman, though he perished in the 40s two days later.
In fact, Mount Washington, along with three other stations did set daily snowfall records this month. However, that's compared to the 18 set this far into June in 2009, or 10 last June 1st-8th. Again, not that unusual.
Elko's reading may be a monthly record, as the NWS NOW data indicates that snow has not fallen there in June before. Dig this though: In nearby Eureka, NV, a record high of 90 was set on Sunday, with a record low of 24 on Monday!
What's really unusual is snow in New York State in June, which I covered back in 2009. Or, more than a foot of snow out west, which I blogged about in June 2007. Or, some of the bizarre events during the "Year Without a Summer" such as snow and ice in Boston and Philadelphia in June 1816, or the more recent "Kind Of Year Without A Summer 2009" when over 3,000 record lows were broken in July.
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