Accumulation on Quelccaya began in earnest during mid-November this
year, which is relatively late. Two earlier snowfall events - in late
September and early November - were followed by settling and ablation.
Although these events contributed mass, they did not result in a surface
height increase.
With a relatively prolonged 2012 dry season, and possibly melting of
these two early snowfall events, the mid-November commencement of
accumulation should be easily recognizable in the snowpack during 2013
fieldwork.
For the current accumulation season through yesterday, snow depth on the
glacier is now at 1 meter. This is about the average for mid-January.
With ENSO-neutral conditions in the tropical Pacific predicted to
continue into the dry season at Quelccaya, another meter of accumulation
is likely by early April.
