Tioga Pass Prognosticator #8

[Mark Sedenquist]

Since one can name more than one date (within reason)

November 19th at 8:00 am

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

But for now I choose NOV Friday 13th

[As the official wrangler [apparently ;-)] how about limiting it to two guesses max and then possibly after the 1st Oct each member could then have one more on any available dates remaining. This would save anyone abusing the "within reason" part and possibly all the [what would be considered] prime dates being taken by a few members. I know it's a bit of fun but a little clarity might be better.]

[CalOldBlue]

Had snow yesterday, and Tioga Pass has been closed.

It will reopen, but Winter approacheth!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Yeah, and the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard resort already has one lift operating and skiing has begun in the Las Vegas area. We were in pool enjoying triple digit temps less than two weeks ago!

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

[As the official wrangler [apparently ;-)] how about limiting it to two guesses max and then possibly after the 1st Oct each member could then have one more on any available dates remaining. This would save anyone abusing the "within reason" part and possibly all the [what would be considered] prime dates being taken by a few members. I know it's a bit of fun but a little clarity might be better.]

Seems like a good policy adjustment to me -- but I'm not sure I understand would you just wrote...

Mark

[CalOldBlue]

1) Boreal Ridge Ski Resort (near Donner Pass) opened for business today; earliest opening in their history. All man-made stuff of course, but still...

2) NWS is threatening a honker of a storm mid-week next week; around 2-5 inches of rain (snow level will be around 8000' as it's a warm storm) and winds up to 100mph over the ridges.

Tioga Pass is probably high enough (10,000') that it will be all snow up there... this COULD be THE EVENT.

Or not.

[Mark Sedenquist]

That was a very dramatic storm system that rolled through the Golden Gate this morning.. Yeah, this could be THE storm that closes the road for 2009! I was watching the radar returns -- Amazing storm!

Here's the 3:20 PM alert for the High Sierra today:

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Winter Storm
Warning for heavy snow above 7500 feet... which is in effect until
8 am PDT Wednesday.

* Timing: the heaviest snows will occur from this afternoon
through the pre-dawn hours on Wednesday.

* Total snow accumulations: 1 to 2 feet of snow is likely between
7500 and 9000 feet... with accumulations up to 4 feet expected in
the higher elevations.

* Winds: wind gusts near the Sierra crest of up to 140 mph are
expected... with gusts to 65 mph in the lower elevations. This
may lead to localized blizzard conditions and near-zero
visibility.

* Snow levels: snow levels between 7500 and 8000 feet are expected
with some fluctuation possible tonight.

....140 mph on the crest.... Yikes!

Mark

[CalOldBlue]

UCSD runs a webcam at the Tioga Pass entrance station; most recent image.

Seems to update once every hour or two.

I snagged a couple for comparison, three hours apart (11:55 and 14:55).

Mount Diablo here in the East Bay has seen gusts over 70mph, and sustained winds in the 40-50mph range (a bit shy of 4000').

Yeah and if you look at the first page of this thread, you'll see that we've been using that web cam since the very beginning of this contest feature....

[bomber]

That was a very dramatic storm system that rolled through the Golden Gate this morning.. Yeah, this could be THE storm that closes the road for 2009! I was watching the radar returns --

Wow! i need the Tioga oper next monday :)

The weather forecast are very good for the next days....do you think this is the definitive closure of the road for 2009?

[Mark Sedenquist]

Four+ feet of snow is a lot of snow and I would think that your chances of having the Tioga Pass route re-opened by next Monday are very, very remote.

Mark