Competition time. The 31st Tioga pass prognosticator. Spring opening 2021.

[Southwest Dave]

Looks like a lot of snow is on it's way to the Sierra's in the next few days !!

This is the forecast in Tuolumne meadows area.

WednesdaySnow. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread dense freezing fog, mainly before 10am. High near 31. Wind chill values as low as zero. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 26 to 32 inches possible.
Wednesday NightSnow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 16. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 22 to 28 inches possible.
ThursdaySnow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 33. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 15 to 21 inches possible.
Thursday NightSnow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 11. South wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

And this is an urgent weather warning issued by the National weather service !
Winter Storm Warning

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Hanford CA
451 AM PST Tue Jan 26 2021

CAZ190>194-262100-
/O.CON.KHNX.WS.W.0002.210127T0600Z-210129T1200Z/
Central Sierra Foothills-Southern Sierra Foothills-Central Sierra-
North Kings River-Sequoia Kings-
Including the cities of Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Squaw Valley,
Auberry, North Fork, Mariposa, Springville, Three Rivers,
Devils Postpile, Florence Lake, Lake Thomas Edison,
Tuolumne Meadows, Bass Lake, Fish Camp, Wawona, Shaver Lake,
Camp Nelson, Giant Forest, Lodgepole, Grant Grove,
and Johnsondale
451 AM PST Tue Jan 26 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING
TO 4 AM PST FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Total snow accumulation of 6 to 10 feet expected above
4,000 feet. Total snow accumulation of 5 to 10 inches expected
from 2,000 feet to 4,000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.

* WHERE...Central Sierra Foothills, Southern Sierra Foothills,
Central Sierra, North Kings River and Sequoia Kings Counties.

* WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 4 AM PST Friday.

* IMPACTS...The hazardous conditions could impact travel across
mountainous areas. Strong winds could cause tree damage.

Dave.

[Southwest Dave]

The hump is back for 2021 and there's plenty more snow to come !



Dave.

[Utahtea]

The hump is back for 2021 and there's plenty more snow to come !



Dave.

Beautiful and the snow is much needed!

Utahtea

[Mark Sedenquist]

The HUMP at 8:45 am this morning


Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy

[Utahtea]

The HUMP at 8:45 am this morning


Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy

https://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/quick...ry-29-2020.htm


January 30, 2021 Posted by: Yosemite Information
Our Tuolumne Meadows rangers have been busy this week! As of yesterday morning, they measured 82 inches of new snow in Tuolumne Meadows since January 27.


Utahtea....WOW!

[Southwest Dave]

The hump has retreated quite a bit but it could be making a comeback. Snow is forecast for later this afternoon and on and off through the weekend to Washington's birthday on Monday. Snow depth is thought to be around 44 inches in Tuolumne meadows right now with the possibility of 30 inches of new accumulation added during the next few days.

High Sierra webcam today


Dave.

[CalOldBlue]

I hope I'm wrong, but this is looking like a dry year ( http://cdec4gov.water.ca.gov/reporta...e=PLOT_ESI.pdf ) so I'll go with late April. 4/27/2021 at noon.

[Southwest Dave]

Here's a winter update from the Yosemite rangers at Tuolumne meadows.

New snow: 22 inches
Total settled snow depth: 50 inches (at 8,600 feet)
High temperature: 44°F (February 11)
Low temperature: -10°F (February 17)

They reported a brief period of freezing rain followed by wet snow and below freezing temperatures, resulting in what they describe as a "rain crust" on the surface. They captured a great image of the result on Altusky peak !



They captured another stunning image at Budd creek basin, a Yosemite few of us get to see.



Dave.

[Southwest Dave]

When all the elements come together correctly sometime during february some lucky visitors to Yosemite can get to witness the specatacular 'Firefall' event at Horsetail falls. It takes a window of warmth to melt the snow at the top of Horsetail falls so it is flowing during the few minutes the sunset colors reflect on the water and for the sky to be clear of cloud or haze. Remarkable site when it all comes together !!





I wish I was there !!

Dave.

[CalOldBlue]

When all the elements come together correctly sometime during february some lucky visitors to Yosemite can get to witness the specatacular 'Firefall' event at Horsetail falls. It takes a window of warmth to melt the snow at the top of Horsetail falls so it is flowing during the few minutes the sunset colors reflect on the water and for the sky to be clear of cloud or haze. Remarkable site when it all comes together !!





I wish I was there !!

Dave.

Those few of us old enough (and local enough) recall the original 'Firefall'. They used to light a fire of bark and other duff at the top Glacier Point above Camp Curry. A voice from the Camp would holler up 'Let the fire fall!' and they would push the whole mess over the cliff. Spectacular, but not particularly ecologically desirable. I was pre-teen when I saw it, but I still remember it. Ended in 1968. Five years later Ansel Adams took the first photo of the natural 'Firefall', and here we are!

https://yosemitefirefall.com/yosemit...glacier-point/