Winter Rite of Passage: Tioga Pass Prognosticator #12

The road is open -- my sons drove over this afternoon. There was snow along the road and Tuolumne Meadows was white not green. They said it was a beautiful afternoon in Yosemite. Camera(s) and photos are still on the road to Bay area so I don't have any to share.

Not surprisingly, there was lots of snow on Whitney and most people were turning back. While my sons were waiting at Trail Camp, they met one group which did summit after leaving at 2 am. They turned around as well. And why didn't they leave before 10 am? A road trip -- they started the previous night at 6 pm from Badwater in Death Valley on bicycles and rode the 135 miles to Whitney Portal.

PS It's very appropriate that a Las Vegas resident brings up bets.

We know how quickly things can change, but for now the weather is set to be good right through the weekend ahead and into Monday. With clear blue sky and daytime temps in the 70's in the valley forecasted, [60's up on the pass] anyone lucky enough to be heading that way is in for a treat.

Like I said, things change real quick at this time of year, so don't leave your predictions too long. The 'Fifteen day rule' is already pushing the qualifying dates into November !

I was within a day for the spring contest, so I'm sure I won't be close this time.

But we'll say November 10 at 4pm

What a treat for anyone visiting the park at the moment ! The weather remains settled and looks set to stay that way for at least the rest of this week. With clear blue sky's and temps reaching mid to high 60's in the valley, Oh how I wish I was there !!

A weather system from the Gulf of Alaska is rapidly heading south and temps are expected to drop from 21c [69F] today down to 7c [44F] tomorrow and then minus 6c [21F] by tomorrow night, with a second system pushing through Thursday !

Some snow, mainly at higher elevations is expected.

Special Weather statement.

Quote:

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Abrupt change to colder and stormier weather this week...

After a weekend of mild temperatures and dry conditions much colder
and wetter... but not atypical... weather is in store for this week.
A fast moving cold front will move southeast through the region
late Monday night and early Tuesday dropping high temperatures
between 15 and 25 degrees from Monday to Tuesday. High temperatures
Tuesday will struggle to reach the lower 50s across western Nevada
with many locations in the Sierra reaching only around 40. A brief
period of showers is also likely with this cold front. Snow levels
will fall through the day dropping to around 5000 feet. While snow
levels fall... meaning many areas could see a few snow showers... the
lack of significant moisture should limit the possibility of
accumulations to only the highest elevations.

Thursday and Thursday night... the coldest and wettest system of the
next 7 days will push a strong cold front through the region. This
will bring gusty winds Thursday afternoon and evening. Precipitation
wise... the front will be moving fast so precipitation amounts are
not expected to be overly significant but periods of heavy snow
showers are expected in the Sierra behind the front Thursday
afternoon and evening. For lower elevations... rain will change to
snow Thursday night with a light accumulation possible mainly north
of Highway 50. Faucette/Snyder

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Should be a great period for wild weather photography --

This event will encourage the bears that it's high time to be thinking about taking a long winter snooze.

Mark

28 October 2011

Tioga Pass webcam status

Quote:

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The Dave Peterson Memorial Tioga Pass Camera is in place and taking photos. However, we are waiting for permission from the park service to access their internet. The phone line internet access at Tioga Pass was removed when the park switched to a satellite internet provider. At this time we do not have permission to access thier internet link and we are unable to relay images.

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This is good news because the work was postponed due to the early Oct snow. We may have more fun with predictions if/ when images are available!

So if the predicted date passes, can prognosticators try another date at least 15 days away?

Quote:

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So if the predicted date passes, can prognosticators try another date at least 15 days away?

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Yes..............

The way I read the rules, the only limitation is the 15-day interval -- You can submit as many dates as you want. Although choosing every day between now and January won't win you any accolades.

Mark

Thought I'd voted, but can't find my entry.

November 19, at 19:00.