Use of Snow to Flow Relationships to predict the ‘snowmelt peak’, summary of Yellowstone snowmelt & precipitation event, and PNW total precipitation of the event for June 12/13, 2022.   

On By Ron Abramovich

This Teton River runoff is a great example to explain of how these Snow to Flow Relationships are used to predict the ‘snowmelt peak’ as opposed to the ‘absolute peak’, a rain influenced peak which may be higher.  Teton R still has enough remaining snow for another bump in flows from the remaining snowpack based on snow to flow relationship with Phillips Bench and Grand Targhee SNOTEL sites.

We’re now 7 days after Phillips melt out and right at Targhee’s half melt with 15.7” on the snow pillow. Flow is rising as seen with the diurnal snowmelt. Cooler temps will arrive Sunday to slow melt. Remaining snow will help sustain flows as they decrease again.

SWE at Grand Targhee peaked at 37 or 32” which puts half melt at 18-16” SWE, today’s SWE.
SWE at Phillips peaked at 22.8” and melted out June 11. Peak occurs an average of 5 days after meltout.
Note peak on Jun 14 was the absolute peak, highest for the season, and snowmelt peak will occur in few days which agrees with the Snow to Flow Relationships. Hydrograph below shows the full runoff season.
 
Precipitation totals in inches for June 12 (5 AM MT to 5AM MT) to June 13 from PRISM, and zoomed in below. https://prism.oregonstate.edu/

Link to Cliff Mass Yellowstone precipitation / snowmelt event summary. https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-origins-of-yellowstone-flooding-and.html

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