When Tioga Pass will close this year?

[Naybour]

Gday RTA

As the title suggests, i was just wondering if anyone has an idea as to when the Tioga Pass will close this year? I have been checking the Yosemite website (here) and it hasn't closed as of yet. I know that no one will know an exact date but just wanted to know if the current weather indicates as to whether it will be closing early, mid or late November

Cheers

Brent

[Midwest Michael]

If anyone had the answer, they'd be a lock to win our annual prediction contest.

Of course, the answer depends completely on the weather, and any answer that anyone would give you at this point would be nothing more than a guess pulled out of thin air. All it really takes at this point is one really good snowstorm and it could be shut down for the season.

[Naybour]

Thanks Michael, that is a shame.

Here in Aus we usually have an idea as to when roads etc will close just on the weather. Thought it might be the same. I'll just have to keep an eye on the website

Oh, and my vote for the pass closing is 21st November as that is the day we are looking at driving it. :)

Brent

[Midwest Michael]

Tioga Pass crosses the Sierra Nevada Mountains at a point that is more than 2000 feet higher than the highest point in Australia. They try to keep it open as long as they can, but you're dealing with an elevation that can easily see 2-3 feet of snow during one storm, so the end can come quite quickly. If they just went by a date, it would be closed in mid to late October, as anytime after that really is a bonus.

[UKCraig]

I should go enter my annual vote for November 21st also (my mums birthday) :)

[Southwest Dave]

It's worth noting that it can close and then re open as it has already this year. Sometimes due to a snow storm and other times for a few hours in the morning if it's icy, so unless it says "Closed for the season" keep checking back, it could re open.

[CalOldBlue]

The farthest out forecast I've ever found is 10 days... in this case it's saying no precipitation for Yosemite out through 11/11 (which blows my guess out of the water).

It DOES predict a 40% chance of precipitation for Tahoe a week out... it is possible that could slip south. It is equally possible it could not happen at all.

No telling what 11/21 will look like, at least for another fortnight.

[Lifemagician]

Thanks Michael, that is a shame.

Here in Aus we usually have an idea as to when roads etc will close just on the weather.......

Brent

Then I guess Brent, you have not spent much time driving in winter in the Alpine National Park or Kosciusko National Park. Believe me, a storm can blow in at a moment's notice, and roads closed up around Thredbo, Smiggin Holes, Perisher, etc.

Lifey who drove taxis up there