|
Weather during the 2002 Winter Olympics and Paralympics will be influenced
by a number of factors. The progression of winter storms across the western
United States is modulated by the position of the jet stream, which is
located roughly 10 km above the earth's surface. The generally
west-to-east oriented jet meanders across the western United States due to
natural variations in the earth's climate system. Colder and snowier
winters in northern Utah usually occur when the jet stream is displaced to
the south of its usual position while warmer and drier conditions prevail
when the jet is displaced to the north. During the past 2 Olympic periods
(February 2000 and 2001), the jet was weak and frequently split into air
streams to the north and south of Utah. The net result was wetter than
normal conditions during both months while temperatures were above normal
in 2000 and near normal in 2001.
|
photo courtesy SLOC
|
|
Weather systems approach northern Utah from all directions and are strongly modulated by the mountain ranges of the western United States. For example,
the Sierras and smaller ranges in Nevada to the west impede, distort, and
wring moisture from Pacific winter storms while the Rockies to the north
and east inhibit Arctic air outbreaks that frequently penetrate further
south across the Plains. In the vicinity of the Olympic venues, the
Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah are a major barrier to storms crossing
the Great Basin. As the air is forced to rise over the Wasatch,
precipitation is enhanced. For example, during February, snowfall on
average increases from roughly an inch (2.5 cm) over the western deserts to
11 inches (28 cm) in the Salt Lake Valley to over 75 inches (191 cm) near
the top of the Wasatch; in the lee of the range, precipitation decreases to
21 inches (53 cm) at Park City. The Great Salt Lake helps to
modify local wind circulations and lake-effect snow storms downwind of the
lake are common (affecting the Ogden area when the winds are from the west
and the Salt Lake Valley when the winds are from the northwest).
|
photo courtesy SLOC
|
Along the Wasatch Front from Ogden to Provo, early morning temperatures are
typically below freezing (around 25° F/-4° C in February and 30° F/-1° C in
March). Rare arctic air outbreaks have led to record cold temperatures
below 0° F /-18° C in February. Afternoon temperatures are usually above
40° F/4° C in February and above 50° F/10° C in March with record highs over
65° F/18° C in February and 75° F/24° C in March. Typically, about 5 snow
storms occur along the Wasatch Front during February with average snowfall
during the month around 11 inches (28 cm). Snow storms are equally likely
during the Paralympic period during March. Heavy fog in the valleys is not
uncommon, with roughly an 8% chance that fog develops on any particular day
in February. Fog episodes arise from stable atmospheric conditions with
limited ventilation in the valleys; these conditions also favor poor air
quality.
|
|
The mountain valleys to the east of the Wasatch Mountains are at higher
elevation than the Wasatch Front. Temperatures tend to be significantly
lower in the morning (average minimum temperatures around 15° F/ -9° C) due
to cold air pooling in the high mountain valleys while
afternoon temperatures tend to be around 40° F/ 4° C. The number of storms
with precipitation falling as snow rather than rain is slightly higher in
the mountain valleys than the number along the Wasatch Front with snowfall
amounts varying from 11 inches (28 cm) in the Ogden Valley to 16 inches
(41 cm) in the Heber Valley during February.
|
|
Venue Climate
|
|
Typical weather conditions at the outdoor Olympic venues are summarized in
the following tables. Early morning temperatures are on the order of 15°F/-9°C with afternoon temperatures slightly above freezing in February. Snowfall varies significantly with higher precipitation amounts at the downhill course (Snowbasin Ski Area) and significantly less snow at the cross-country venue (Soldier Hollow). At higher elevations on the mountain, temperatures are even lower and precipitation amounts are higher.
|
| Snowbasin Ski Resort |
Current Weather Conditions at Snowbasin
Base Elevation: 6400 ft, 1950 m
|
| |
February |
March |
|
High Temperature |
36° F, 2° C |
44° F, 7° C |
|
Low Temperature |
19° F, -7° C |
23° F, -5° C |
|
Snowfall |
56 in, 142 cm |
40 in, 101 cm |
|
|
| Park City Ski Resort |
Current Weather Conditions at Park City
Base Elevation: 6900 ft, 2100 m
|
| |
February |
March |
|
High Temperature |
37° F, 3° C |
47° F, 8° C |
|
Low Temperature |
16° F, -9° C |
23° F, -5° C |
|
Snowfall |
34 in, 87 cm |
24 in, 62 cm |
|
| Deer Valley Ski Resort |
Current Weather Conditions at Deer Valley
Base Elevation: 7400 ft, 2255 m
|
| |
February |
March |
|
High Temperature |
33° F, 0° C |
41° F, 5° C |
|
Low Temperature |
17° F, -8° C |
23° F, -5° C |
|
Snowfall |
34 in, 87 cm |
24 in, 62 cm |
|
|
All Venue Photos Courtesy of SLOC.
|
|
Hazardous Weather Summary
|
During the Olympic and Paralympic period, winter storms can usher in a
variety of hazardous conditions: low temperatures, heavy snowfall, and high
winds are common. Record snowfall in a 24 hour interval during the Olympic
period varies from over 10 inches (25 cm) along the Wasatch Front to over
several feet (100 cm) in the mountains. Downslope wind storms with winds in
excess of 40 mph/65 kph occasionally develop immediately to the west of
the Wasatch Range (within a mile/2 km of the base of the mountains). There
is an 8% chance that winds in excess of 40 mph/65 kph could affect Opening
and Closing Ceremonies on the University of Utah campus and strong winds
are also possible, for example, at the Park and Ride facility near the
mouth of Weber Canyon.
Significant weather that has occurred during past Olympic and Paralympic periods.
|
photo courtesy SL Tribune
|
|
|
Likely Weather Conditions during Opening and Closing Ceremonies
|
| Based on evaluation of hourly reports from February 5-25 1972-2001 at Salt Lake City Airport, daily reports at Hogle Zoo, and hourly reports at the University of Utah.
|
- There is a 30% chance of having "weather" (rain, snow, or fog) during a four hour ceremony.
- There is a 20% chance of having precipitation (rain, snow, or rain/snow) for at least one hour of a four hour ceremony.
- If precipitation is falling during a four hour ceremony, there is only a 6% chance that it will persist through the whole ceremony.
- There is a slightly better chance of it snowing than raining during the ceremonies.
- There is a 10% chance of fog during a four hour ceremony.
- If fog is present during a four hour ceremony, there is a 61% chance that it will persist through the whole ceremony.
- Fog is much more likely to occur during the opening ceremonies than during the closing ceremonies.
- During the opening ceremonies, there is a better chance that precipitation will be snow vs. rain than during the closing ceremonies.
|
photo courtesy SLOC
|
