Competition time. Welcome to the 39th Tioga pass Prognosticator. Spring opening 2025
Tioga pass Prognosticator. Spring 2025 opening competition.
Our 39th Tioga pass prognosticator offers you the opportunity to win a free tank of gas for your Road trip ride! It's free to enter and all you have to do is predict the correct date that the Tioga pass will open for the 2025 Road trip season. Tioga pass (aka CA120)crosses the Sierra Nevada in Yosemite NP at high altitude, and is one of the most dramatic drives for scenery anywhere in the world! It's a popular route for travellers who wish to traverse the mountains East to West, or vice versa, but come winter, snowfall and ice will close the road for the winter months, usually during November and December and remains closed until May or June and even into July, depending on the impact of winter. The plowing effort to clear the road of snow and ice, and debris from fallen trees and rock etc, starts in April and can take several weeks to clear. Not only is it a mammoth undertaking, there is also the risk of late winter storms slowing, or halting progress for the road crews!
Are you are up for the Challenge to become the new Tioga pass Prognosticator Champion and get a Tank of gas for your road trip ride?
All you have to do is follow the rules posted further down the page to predict the correct opening date for Spring 2025 and a tank of gas is yours! It doesn't matter how you get there, you can study data, use a crystal ball or throw a dart at a calendar, you just need the correct date. You can also add a bonus prize, enter a time and if you are within 60 minutes of the official opening time you will get an additional gift from RTA!
A view of Half dome from the High Sierra webcam on Feb 8th 2024.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog.../0208_0934.jpg
Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy
So far this season, it's been a pretty uneventful and dry winter season. January was drier and warmer than average and February has managed just one significant snowstorm that brought with it almost 4feet of new snow. Here's what it looks like form the High Sierra webcam this morning.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...eenshot-19.png
Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy
The Competition.
You are welcome to use your predictive talents and if you manage to hit the correct date -- the RTA Editorial group will pay for a tank of Roadtrip fuel in your personal roadtrip ride. Legal has suggested that we identify what this means.... So, for the record, the prize will be limited to $75.00 USD* ************The official date for this Tioga Pass Prognosticator contest tracks with Pacific Time (USA), so no matter what date it might be in your local neighbourhood, the date used for this contest will be the same one used by the officials at Yosemite National Park for Tioga Pass.***)
Forum Moderator, Dave Gomm, (Southwest Dave) is the official Sheriff and Chief Wrangler for this contest and his rulings as to the naming of the winner are final, (& they can also be arbitrary & capricious) Got a beef? Or a question? Take it up with him..
The Rules.
*** To win this prize, your date must be identified in a post on this thread more than or equal to fifteen (15) days prior to the official Tioga Pass Road OPENING date.
** ** Further, you must identify a particular time in your post (date and time is required for the winning entry). *And if you manage to identify the correct opening time within 60 minutes.... you'll receive an additional surprise gift from RTA.
*** Once you have selected your date you must select the relevant date range in the Poll above.
*** A single calendar date can only be claimed by one member so make sure your date hasn't been claimed already. If two or more members chose the same calendar date, and that date proves to be the "Winning Date", the prize will go to the member who "claimed" the date the earliest in this contest period.
***The official date for this Tioga Pass Prognosticator contest tracks with Pacific Time (USA), so no matter what date it might be in your local neighbourhood, the date used for this contest will be the same one used by the officials at Yosemite National Park for Tioga Pass.***
Additional info.
Here's a list of previous TPPC's. (Tioga pass prognosticator champions)
Mark Sedenquist. Winter closing 2018 (Still holder of the crown !!)
*** tantrum, Spring 2015 Opening
George Carey (glc), Spring 2014 Opening
George Carey (glc), Spring 2013
Opening Jessica Beagles-Roos (CAnative), Spring 2011 and Winter 2011 (although it actually closed in 2012)
Brian Shannon (Exodus) Spring, 2010
Phil Boardman, (PhilB) Spring 2009
weirj Winter 2008 -
And previous DCTPP (Darn close Tioga pass prognosticators)
***************tseeb Spring opening 2024
***************liam2k04 Winter closing 2023
***************Mark Sedenquist 2023 Spring opening
***************Southwest Dave Winter closing 2022
***************Utahtea Spring 2020
***************anuj1985 Winter 2019
**************Southwest Dave. Spring 2019
************** tseeb Spring 2018
************** Mark Sedenquist, Winter 2017
**************Southwest Dave Spring 2017
**************travelingman Winter 2016
*************Jessica Beagles-Roos [CANative] Spring 2016
*************Jessica Beagles-Roos, (CaNative), Winter 2013
*************George Carey (glc), Spring 2012
*************Sheriff Dave Gomm (Southwest Dave), Winter 2010
*************Don Casey (CalOldBlue), Winter 2009
*************Lynn & Victor (Hotel Charlotte), Spring 2008
*************Joey (Kinless), Spring 2007
This list contains previous opening dates to help you along.
2024 June 10th
2023 July 22nd. (Very late on this record breaking year!)
2022 May 27th 9am
2021 May 27th (9am)
2020 June 15th (9am)
2019 June 21st (9am) *** This was a time restricted opening to traffic and fully opened on July 1st 8am)***
2018 May 21st (9am)
2017 June 29th, (8am)
2016 May 18th (Noon)
2015 May 4th (8 am)
2014 May 2nd (Noon)
2013 May 11th (Noon)
2012 May 7th (Noon)
2011 June 18th (8:45 am)
2010 June 5th (8:00 am)
2009: May 19th (10:30 am)
2008: May 21st (8:00 am)
2007: May 11th (this was an early one!)
2006: June 17th
2005: June 24th
2004: May 14th
2003: May 31st
2002: May 22nd
2001: May 12th
This link contains Yosemite NP official opening/closing page with links to current conditions, weather forecasts and more.
And this link shows live pictures from the Sentinel webcam.
Links to previous Spring opening competitions.
Spring opening 2024
Spring 2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Here are some of our Lucky winners filling up their Road trip rides!
Mark Sedenquist. Winter closing 2018 and still the reigning Champ !
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...19_Barstow.jpg
George Carey (glc) Spring opening 2014
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...y_2014_650.jpg
George again Spring 2013. (Back to back wins)
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...ey_07-3-13.jpg
CANative Spring 2011.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...er_Jessica.jpg
Brian Shannon. (Exodus) Spring, 2010.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...010_Winner.jpg
Phil Boardman (PhilB) Spring 2009
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog/...pinFreeGas.jpg
It's time to find a new Champion Prognosticator! Mark Sedenquist has gotten too comfortable on that Throne! ;-)
Good luck!
Dave
The clouds are rolling in.
There has been a Winter weather advisory released by the National Weather service as follows..
Quote:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Hanford CA
1057 AM PST Sat Mar 1 2025
CAZ323-326>331-020300-
/O.CON.KHNX.WW.Y.0002.250302T0600Z-250304T0600Z/
Yosemite NP outside of the valley-Upper San Joaquin River-Kaiser
to Rodgers Ridge-Kings Canyon NP-Grant Grove Area-Sequoia NP-
South End of the Upper Sierra-
Including the cities of Wawona, Lake Thomas Edison, Devils
Postpile, Tuolumne Meadows, Lake Wishon, Johnsondale, Shaver
Lake, Huntington Lake, Cedar Grove, Lodgepole, Florence Lake,
Giant Forest, Hume Lake, and Grant Grove
1057 AM PST Sat Mar 1 2025
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING
TO 10 PM PST MONDAY...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 10
inches above 4500 feet. Totals up to 14 inches at the higher
elevations. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
* WHERE...A portion of central California.
* WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 10 PM PST Monday.
* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult
to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday
morning and evening commutes. Strong winds could cause tree damage.
The view right now from the High Sierra webcam shows the cloud beginning to build.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...eenshot-20.png
Image courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy.
Dave
A nice top up of fresh snow!
The snow has arrived and it looks quite heavy on the live Webcam images.
A Snapshot at 4:20pm today.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...eenshot-21.png
Image courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy.
Dave
Finally, some decent snow!
Wow, this is the best snowpack yet! (this year)
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog..._0317_1327.jpg
March 17th at 1:40 pm PDT (Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy)
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https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog..._0317_1455.jpg
Also on March 17th at 2:50 pm PDT
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https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...pitan_0317.jpg
March 17th -- The Valley looking up towards Half-Dome
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And look at Yosemite Falls -- it is RIPPING!
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...Falls_0317.jpg
March 17th at 3 pm
...and a little more snow today.
Yes Mark, a little different up there to the 100F you experienced in Death valley yesterday!
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...eenshot-30.png
Photo courtesy of the Yosemite conservancy
The first part of March produced 61 inches of new snow at 8,600ft in Tuolumne Meadows, which leaves the central Sierra at 90% of average snow depth.
Dave
And the blue skies return
Nicer day today. Not as clear as some days, but still blue skies prevail.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog..._0329_1115.jpg
March 29th at 11:15 am PDT -- photo courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy
Check out the flowing water on the Yosemite Falls webcam! Most of the snow has already melted in the valley.
And the stream level at the Happy Isles Bridge gauge IS MUCH HIGHER THAN LAST WEEK!
The calm before the Storm!
The National Weather service has released an urgent Winter Weather message.
Quote:
Including the cities of Florence Lake, Lake Wishon, Wawona,
Huntington Lake, Devils Postpile, Tuolumne Meadows, Shaver Lake,
and Lake Thomas Edison
1215 PM PDT Sat Mar 29 2025
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM SUNDAY TO 11 PM PDT
TUESDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 1 to
2 feet. Winds gusting as high as 65 mph.
* WHERE...Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge, Upper San Joaquin River, and
Yosemite NP outside of the valley.
* WHEN...From 11 PM Sunday to 11 PM PDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The
hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening
commutes. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage.
The storm could persist through Wednesday and has the potential to add 3ft of new snow.
I just took a look Mark, Yosemite Falls really are flowing hard and fast!
Dave
A nice top up of the white stuff.
It's been snowing quite heavy for a few hours now.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...eenshot-31.png
Image courtesy of the Yosemite conservancy
Dave
Update. Still snowing quite heavily at 3.25pm today. (The 'Hump' has grown some more)
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...eenshot-32.png
Snow in the local mountains
The most surprising thing about this current weather is that the weather in Las Vegas has turned cool again. Not much over 60-degrees F today and we had snow in the local mountains last night!
Mark
Below average snow survey results.
Although there was a top up of snow since the final snow survey, the results are in from Yosemite NP.
Quote:
Final snow survey results are in! Rangers completing the April 1 survey found the Merced River basin at 75% of average and the Tuolumne River basin at 72% of average, based on the snow's water content. Although the April snow survey is usually completed when snowpack is at its peak, more snow has fallen since measurements were taken. Warmer, drier days are on the way, and spring weather will play a large role in determining conditions this summer.
The temperatures are higher than average, causing the snowpack to melt away quicker. Yosemite Falls are flowing nicely, as seen below from the Yosemite conservancy webcam.
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog...eenshot-33.png
The Plow teams should be deployed soon to start the clearing operation to get the road open, it's a big task that can take several weeks and progress will depend largely on the weather ahead.
Dave
US Federal Government is messing with most things here
One thing that could be delaying the start of plowing on the Yosemite NP side, is that there could have been firings and layoffs, courtesy of the Federal government. We know that several thousand NPS employees were fired -- and scores of them were at Yosemite.
Hopefully, they managed to retain most of the skilled positions on the highway crews.
The melting of the snow in the web cam is accelerating at a pace I would never have thought possible. Streams and waterfalls are going to be rockin'!
Mark
Melting, melting, melting
The Rocks are Back!
Wow, this is melting so fast!
https://www.roadtripamerica.com/blog..._0424_1201.jpg
April 24th at 12:00 Noon PDT -- Photo courtesy of The Yosemite Conservancy
The road crews are working on the Pass.
The road crews have been Plowing the road since April 22nd and by the 24th they had covered 12 miles of road clearing, this puts them about 3 miles from White Wolf. It doesn't look as though this weekends snow will amount to much so they should be able to 'plow on'.
Plow crews also reached Glacier Point on April 20. Clearing trees, fixing road damage, setting up vault toilets, installing signs, and other tasks are still required before the road opens.
Dave
this cooling trend is incredible
It is really is incredible to have this cooling trend.
I had to wear a jacket today when I practiced Yoga in the park. I have never seen such chilly weather this time of year before in Las Vegas.
Mark
