Snow Business: Field Called Thursday's Storm Two Months Ago

Let's give credit where credit is due ... Brad Field absolutely called Thursday's storm two months ago.

It was at the annual medial weekend at Vermont's Okemo Mountain Resort in December. We were at lunch enjoying a few Mini Umami Mini Burgers from Chef Jason Tostrup at Epic, the restaurant at Okemo's Solitude area. At the time, Connecticut had no snow and panic was about to set in about a potentially down season for the second time in a row.

Have no fear, NBC Connecticut's chief meteorologist said.

"Things are going to change," Field said while predicting a good storm in early February.

And he was right.

"And it certainly was a good storm Thursday," said Jay Dougherty, the general manager at Mount Southington, who was reporting 14 inches of powder from Thursday's weather.

Field said storms will be moving along the eastern seaboard and clipper systems coming in from Canada will met up with them.

That means more nor'easters, more storms in general and more dumps like Thursday.

That "backside Canadian air," Field said, is key for not only cold temperatures, but pinning the storms so they last longer.

The last time we saw data like this was the 1995-95 winter, when 120 inches fell at Bradley International Airport, Field said.

Field said what happened Thursday is reason for some to celebrate.

Here is how Connecticut snow sports areas are shaping up this weekend:

• Mohawk has 24 trails and five lifts open with base depths of up to 36 inches.
• Mount Southington has all 14 trails open with five lifts running and base depths of up to 42 inches.
• Ski Sundown also has all its trails open with five lifts bringing skier and rides to base depths of up to 60 inches.
• Powder Ridge has 19 of 20 trails open with average base depths of 36 inches.

"The global pattern we predicted prior to the start of the winter favors the winter getting stronger as it goes along,": Field said. "I still think the weather patterns favor great conditions for the ski areas deep into Spring."

Photo Credit: Ski Sundown

Chris Dehnel is a Patch Editor and current executive secretary and past-president of the North American Snowsports Journalists Association East Division. His Snow Business column runs regularly during the season.