Tioga Pass Prognosticator 20 * Winter closing 2015.

We are getting closer to 'that time of year' where we start to keep an eye out for early winter storms along the past. As yet there is no snow in the forecast,t but there is some much needed precipitation due that also brings the risk of flash floods and Thunderstorms with it. There is an advisory in place so check up to date forecasts if you are travelling.

Quote:

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Hazardous Weather Outlook
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - HANFORD CA
845 PM PDT WED OCT 14 2015

CAZ093>099-160345-
MARIPOSA MADERA AND FRESNO COUNTY FOOTHILLS-
TULARE COUNTY FOOTHILLS-KERN COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
SIERRA NEVADA FROM YOSEMITE TO KINGS CANYON-
TULARE COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INDIAN WELLS VALLEY-
SOUTHEASTERN KERN COUNTY DESERT-
845 PM PDT WED OCT 14 2015

...THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE...

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER EXPECTED.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

* TIMING: THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: THE SIERRA NEVADA FOOTHILLS...SOUTHERN SIERRA
NEVADA FROM YOSEMITE TO TULARE COUNTY...KERN COUNTY
MOUNTAINS...SOUTHEAST KERN COUNTY DESERT AND INDIAN WELLS
VALLEY.

* IMPACTS: HEAVY RAIN...LIGHTNING AND SMALL HAIL. FLASH FLOODING
IS POSSIBLE.

* STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...OR YOUR FAVORITE NEWS
SOURCE...FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED.

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY SIGNIFICANT OR
UNUSUAL CONDITIONS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

---

Dave.

Still looking very dry and clear up there:
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...l_10_29_15.jpg
Photo courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy October 29, 2105 @ 3:24 PM PDT

An urgent winter weather notice has been posted for heavy snow, between 8 and 16 inches Sunday night into Monday morning on the high ground !

Quote:

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Winter Storm Watch
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HANFORD CA
227 AM PDT SAT OCT 31 2015

CAZ096-311800-
/O.EXT.KHNX.WS.A.0004.151102T0600Z-151103T0600Z/
SIERRA NEVADA FROM YOSEMITE TO KINGS CANYON-
227 AM PDT SAT OCT 31 2015

...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING ABOVE 7000 FEET...

* HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...8 TO 16 INCHES ABOVE 7000 FEET.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL BEGIN SUNDAY EVENING. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL
IS EXPECTED SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. SNOW LEVELS
WILL BE ABOVE 9000 FEET SUNDAY EVENING LOWERING TO NEAR
7000 FEET BY LATE MONDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS...SLICK...SNOW COVERED ROADS AND WINTER DRIVING
CONDITIONS...POSSIBLE ROAD CLOSURES...BLOWING AND DRIFTING
SNOW ACCOMPANIED BY WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES AS LOW AS THE
TEENS BY MONDAY EVENING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

WEEKEND HIKERS AND CAMPERS SHOULD CONSIDER ADJUSTING THEIR TRAVEL
PLANS BEFORE THE ONSET OF STORMY...WINTRY AND MUCH COLDER WEATHER
LATE SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
THE LATEST FORECASTS.

---

I'm not sure if this could spell the end for this season but cold temperatures and the seemingly lack of funding to make an attempt to clear it, who knows !

Dave.

I'm in for Nov 17th at 2 pm. Andi f that doesn't fit the rules then Nov 18th at 2 pm.

It's been hot so haven't been thinking about snow.

Jessica

The difference a day makes. At present Tioga Pass is closed to traffic.

Yesterday.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/687/2...414dc299_z.jpg

Right now.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/641/2...8dd38f30_z.jpg

Dave.

November 19th. 10AM

According to the "mono-logue" Tioga Pass closed at 4pm PT on November 1, "possibly for the season".

A closure this early is a good harbinger for the season!

Mark

Already melting... melting...melting
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...l_11-04-15.jpg
Photo courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy (November 4, 2105 @ 4:06 pm PST)

The Yosemite NPS site says "The Tioga Road (Hwy 120 through the park) is temporarily closed due to snow." Ebbetts, Sonora, and Monitor are also closed.

My guess: November 22nd at 4pm.