#Tremblant 101 Winter Weather Pattern - Orographic Precip.

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T360
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#Tremblant 101 Winter Weather Pattern - Orographic Precip.

Post by T360 »

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What is “Orographic Precipitation” and why does it benefit Tremblant?


(We are differentiating/separating this subject from it's previous
attachment to another topic as it represents a significant and distinct
winter weather pattern that benefit's Tremblant Conditions
frequently enough to be recognized indivdually.

Clinically speaking, this topic could certainly be considered as legitimate
"Tremblant Geographic" catagory material, however we feel that it is a
large enough singular advantage that it deserves "101" inclusion because
there is not only a good chance you may experience one of these events
when you are visiting Tremblant, but even if you don't, there is just about a 99%
probability the conditions you experience will have ongoing benefit from it.)



"Additional Winter Weather Notes:


Any Time There's A Southerly Directional Wind Component...
particularly with a Gulf Of Mexico “Texas Low" originated system,
as we have from time to time, there's a large probability of Orographic
Snowfall over/on Tremblant that can generate localized Blowing Drifting
and Accumulation rates substantially greater than the ground/base level
statistical totals either actual, or forecast.


Oh Yeah... we love that....


For those not familiar with "Orographic" precipitation, it is basically
when warm moisture laden air is forced by wind direction, up into cooler
air masses by a large geographical feature it encounters that acts as a
ramp.

When the warm moisture comes into contact with the cooler upper
level air, it causes the moisture to condense and form precipitation, which
in winter around Tremblant, means "Snow".


This is where Tremblant enjoys a distinct advantage over its regional
competitors. As Tremblant is the highest skiable peak above sea level
in the area, it is the only one that gets a reliable Orographic pattern on
a regular basis.

Furthermore, Tremblant's more Northerly latitude means that when the
regional ambient temps are close to the freezing mark at both the beginning
and end of the season, the farther North you are here, the better the chance
of any form/type of precipitation being "Snow" as opposed to "Rain" or "Sleet"
as many more Southerly resorts are likely to experience.

Consequently, Tremblant's Winter season and therefore surface conditions,
tend to be more consistently "Winter" from start to finish.

This Northerly Latitude also favours Tremblant's position in relation
to the upper atmospheric "Jet Stream" that can often separate "cool"
above and "warm" below, further enhancing the probability of consistent
Winter" conditions.

Of course there are exceptions to every weather generalization, however
"Winter" and "North" are always more compatible than "Winter"
and "South" in overall trends.

Here's a sample of an "Orographic" Snowfall day from Mid-January
on Tremblant's North Side."




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