Competition time. Welcome to the 39th Tioga pass Prognosticator. Spring opening 2025

[Southwest Dave]

A good overnight storm brought some much needed fresh snow to the area. This image was captured on the High Sierra Webcam around 5am this morning. The snow in the foreground, that we now know as 'The Hump', has grown some more!


And another great image captured this morning as the cloud begins to break up, but clings to the mountain sides at lower levels.


What it looks like at 3,000feet at the same time from El Capitan Webcam

All images courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy.

A weather warning remains in place until 1pm and then things tend to calm down for a while.

Dave

[Southwest Dave]

The clouds are starting to build after a bright start to the day.

Image courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy.

A winter storm warning is in place from the National weather service.

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO
11 PM PDT THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3
feet above 4000 feet and up to 4 feet on the highest elevations.
Winds could gust as high as 60 mph.

* WHERE...A portion of central California.

This will hopefully bring a decent top up after the February storms, a summary of what happened last month shown below is provided by the Yosemite winter rangers.

New Snow: 68 inches (historical average 62.1 inches)
Snow Water Equivalent: 6.91 inches (historical average 4.53 inches)
Average High Temperature: 40.2°F (historical average 40.2°F)
Average Low Temperature: 12.3°F (historical average 10.3°F)
Average Temperature: 26.25°F (historical average 25.2°F)

Dave

[Mark Sedenquist]

Sounds promising. Great photo capture on the 6th.

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

The hump has certainly grown! The lower tree tops previously seen in the centre of the image have disappeared from view.



Dave

[Mark Sedenquist]

Yes, that looks good

Still snowing at 10:30 am


March 13th at 10:27 am PDT
(photo courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy)

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And snowing pretty hard in the valley too.
This is the normally the view of Yosemite Falls from the valley floor

Also courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy

[Southwest Dave]

This looks promising!


The clouds are clearing, but come Sunday night there is more heavy snow expected and the winter storm warning remains in effect.

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations up to 18
inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph.

* WHERE...A portion of central California.

* WHEN...From Sunday afternoon through Monday evening.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The
hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening
commutes. Strong winds could cause tree damage

Dave

[Mark Sedenquist]

Wow, this is the best snowpack yet! (this year)


March 17th at 1:40 pm PDT (Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy)

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Also on March 17th at 2:50 pm PDT

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March 17th -- The Valley looking up towards Half-Dome

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And look at Yosemite Falls -- it is RIPPING!

March 17th at 3 pm

[Mark Sedenquist]

Gorgeous day in Yosemite

March 18th at 8:20 am PDT -- Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy

[Mark Sedenquist]

First days of Spring, 2025 and the snow is melting fast!


March 21st at 10:40 am PDT -- Courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy

[Southwest Dave]

Temperatures are likely to hit 60F during daylight hours at elevations of 8500-9000ft by Tuesday, so we can expect to see quite a bit of snow melt in the coming days! Down in Yosemite valley the temperatures are likely to top 70F on Monday and Tuesday, but before you get the shorts and T-shirts out and pack away the winter gear, there is a risk of snow by Thursday!

Dave