Thunderstorms
climbing the
East Sierra
over
Forsyth Peak
Sitting above the Pacific Crest & Tahoe to Yosemite Trails at the Top of Jack Main Canyon in the North Yosemite Backcountry

East Carson River just below PCT under April Snow.

A glimpse at Forsyth Peak in the very Northwest corner of Yosemite National Park under the soft but fierce pastel clouds of a thunderstorm dying as sunset approaches.

Trail Guide Map Miles and Elevations

May 2020

January February March April May June July August September October November December

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Last Spring Snow Trips? Once the Spring Thaw gets going the rivers and creeks will rage, making fording very dangerous. REPORT Spring Gear Time to begin stashing the full Winter Gear. We can start lightening up the gear depending on weather. PCT-TYT-JMT HIKERS Time to Carefully Monitor Travel & Fording Conditions SPRING THAW RIVER INFORMATION RESERVOIRS HAZARDS Tracking SPRING THAW 2019 All Snow Information		28 LAST MONTH NEXT WEEK TOP Hiking the PCT in 2020? *From the Trail Guide* The Earliest, Latest, and Average Start Dates How Will This Year Stack-Up? ON THE CALENDAR Earliest Start Date Winter of 2015 Driest in History Average Start Date Winter of 2016 An Average-Dry Year Latest Start Date Winter of 2017 Wettest in History When are the trails along the Sierra Crest going to be passable this year? Upcoming Weather Probabilities These three years highlighted above offer the potential range of Weather Conditions within which this year's PCTer, "Start Date," the date you can reasonably expect to encounter fairly snow-free trails with post-deadly fording conditions, will be determined within. These are the historic limits of wet and dry, with a perfectly average year thrown in-between, for good measure. This date, of course, depends upon your ability to navigate snow at high altitude, along with your ability to cross the various stages of the dangerous thaw waters draining off it. And your fitness, of course. You are training, are you not? You can get through before and after the period of high-flow runoff, but not during this phase. How the conditions of the Winter to Spring Transition we track this year measures-up to the classic trajectories of these three years cited above will inform potential PCT hikers about the snow/trail conditions along the High Sierra Crest they may reasonably expect to encounter during May, June, and July of this year measure-up against those of the Driest year in history against an Average Year, against the wettest Year in History... This year of 2020 will fit somewhere between these historic parameters of the record Wettest and record Driest years that happened between 2015 and 2017. As our seasonal start date for open access to trails along the High Sierra Crest will be adjusted according to the character and trajectory of this year's Winter to Spring Transition, we will watch it carefully. Advice for Rookie Hikers wishing to hike the TYT-JMT-PCT *More* 2018 Weather Notes TWISTED SEASONS Hottest & Driest, then Wettest Year Ever, over Three Years Compare Years	29 Beautiful Day Sun & Warmth HOT This Week in 2018 Snow & Temps This Week in 2017 Snow & Temps	30 Beautiful Day Sun & Warmth HOT Overnight Temps Warming... Approaching Transition to Spring Gear SPRING THAW ---DANGERS--- --WARNINGS-- BEGAN (April 24...) LAST MONTH NEXT WEEK TOP LAST MONTH NEXT WEEK TOP This Week TOP This Week TOP	1 Beautiful Day Sun & Warmth Cooler-Warm 2020 May1 Ca Snow 37% Of May 1 Average Last Reading April 22 Next Reading May 7 MAY DAY May 2015 Driest Year in History May 2016 An Average-Dry Year May 2017 Wettest Year in History May 2018 Very Dry Year 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 1. N Sierra: 144% =0% in 2 days Cen. Sierra: 147% +2% in 2 days S Sierra: 139% -1% in 2 days Ca State: 143% =0% in 2 days 2019 2018 Snowpack Percent of Average for May 1 +/- change since April 29 Ca State: 27% (-10%) 2018 Carson Pass, 5-8-18 = 19" 2016 Snow Depth Carson Pass 49 & 23 degrees, 75" Ebbetts Pass 48 & 23 degrees, 75" Sonora Pass 33 & 28 degrees, 69" Tuolumne Meadows 17 & 50 degrees, 34.5" 2016 April Snow Depths & Temps 2015 Snotel Station Reports Snow Depth Carson Pass 0 inches Ebbetts Pass 0 inches Sonora Pass 0 inches Tuolumne Meadows 0 inches 2015 May Snow Depths & Temps Station Reports The SIXTH --SPRING-- Temp-Snow Check May 1 2020 8 pm Evening Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: April 22 Next Report: May 7 Red Snow = Near Clear Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 27.0 −13.00 (22.60) + 0.1 7618 feet Trail Map 54 & 38 +/= PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 18.0 −26 (33.50) −0.2 Echo Lake Resupply Lake Tahoe Resupply 7652 feet Stations Map 53 & 39 =/+ American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 36.0 −17.0 (27.40) =0.00 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 52 & 31 −/= Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 26.00 −23 (33.90) +0.10 Lake Alpine Resupply 8660 feet Trail Map 52 & 37 −/+ West of PCT Highlands Meadow 00.00 −10.65 (28.95) +0.69 8360 feet Trail Map 49 & 27 −/− Top of List EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 75.00 −29 (29.40) −0.10 9602 feet, East Flank Trail Map 48 & 36 −/+ EAST FLANK Marine Base Cold Weather Training 6748 feet East Flank Trail Map Above FULL REPORT VIS-CHIL-WEA-MB- WIND 69 &48 +/+ Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 18.46 −15.21 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 57 & -19 +/− ?? Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow 5.40 x0.0 8602 feet Trail Map 52 & 26 −/+ Bensen Lake Loop Slide Canyon 38 −17 (25.14) −0.98 9200 feet, NW Yos Trail Map--Location 49 & 26 +/+ Report (Typically one of the coldest stations) Top of List Tenaya Lake 19.11 −23.64 (10.05) +0.00 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 53 & 26 −/+ JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 0.43 −8.43 (8.32) =0.00 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 55 & 26 =/+ Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (4.59) =0.00 ?? 9798 feet Trail Map 48 & 26 −/+ Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (New) (error) Report 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad Old JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 0.26 +0.04 (16.55) +0.98 8004 feet Trail Map Above 57 & 30 +/+ NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 48.80 −25.39 (17.44) +0.12 9500 feet Trail Map 53 & 31 −/+ Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 34.30 −19.4 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 54 & 28 −/+ East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (30.60) =0.0 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 56 & 36 −/+ East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 11.10 −13.3 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 46 & 35 −/+ Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake PREVIOUS READING (no current data) 8.34 −6.3 (80.92) +1.18 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 48 & 22 +/+ (Typically the coldest station) Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 38.07 −12.39 11441 feet Trail Map 51 & 32 +/+ JMT Crabtree Meadow 1.76 −38.04 (40.02) +0.22 10,700 feet Trail Map 53 & 28 +/+ ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List	2 Beautiful Day Sun & Warmth Cooler-Warm Informative "Normal" Vs. Now Forcasts & Reality vs. Averages TRENDS Week-Month- 3 Months HIGH SIERRA SNOW INFO All Snow Info SNOW STATUS & FORECASTS THE SNOWPACK *GRAPHICS* Date-Adjustable High Sierra Snowpack Status MAY 1 NOAA-NOHRSC The High Sierra 5-1-20 LAST MONTH NEXT WEEK TOP 2017 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 2. N Sierra: 198% Cen. Sierra: 201% S Sierra: 178% Ca State: 194% 2017 Snow Depths & Temps This Week TOP LAST MONTH NEXT WEEK TOP LAST MONTH NEXT WEEK TOP
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
3 Beautiful Day Sun & Warmth Cooler-Warm LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP This Week in 2018: Dry Snow & Temps This Week in 2017: Wet Snow & Temps Very Early Openings 2018 Highway 108 Open May 3, 12:00 Noon	4 Beautiful Day Sun & Warmth Cooler-Warming Up 2018 Highway 4 Open May 4, 12:00 Noon	5 Beautiful Day Sun & Warmth WARM-WARMING LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP	6 Beautiful Day Sun & Warmth WARM-WARMING 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 6. N Sierra: 143% −1% in 6 days Cen. Sierra: 143% −4% in 6 days S Sierra: 129% −10% in 6 days Ca State: 138% −5% in 6 days 2019 ------2016------ RAINY DAY IN SIERRA TEMPS & SNOW DEPTH MESOWEST stations Carson Pass 49 & 33 degrees, 51" Ebbetts Pass 43 & 31 degrees, 46" Sonora Pass 47 & 32 degrees, 43" Tuolumne Meadows 29 & 48 degrees, 0" HUGE SNOW LOSS DAY 2016 This Week TOP	7 Beautiful Day Sun & Warmth HOT Annual Seasonal Averages 2020 Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 7 N Sierra: 16% −35% in 15 days Cen. Sierra: 29% −34% in 15 days S Sierra: 25% −34% in 15 days Ca State: 25% −33% in 15 days Last Reading May 1 Next Reading May 11 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PDF 2018 Snowpack Percent of Average for May 7 +/- change since May 1 N Sierra: 21% (-9%) Cen. Sierra: 29% (-15%) S Sierra: 21% (-10%) Ca State: 25% (-12%) 2018 Station Reports The SEVENTH --SPRING-- Temp-Snow Check May 7 2020 4 pm Afternoon Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: May 1 Next Report: May 11 Red Snow = Near Clear Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 15.00 −12.00 (22.50) −0.1 7618 feet Trail Map 56 & 38 +/= PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 00.0 −18 (33.60) +0.1 Echo Lake Resupply Lake Tahoe Resupply 7652 feet Stations Map 61 & 39 +/= American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 22.0 −14.0 (27.40) =0.00 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 58 & 35 +/+ Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 11.00 −15 (33.90) =0.00 Lake Alpine Resupply 8660 feet Trail Map 58 & 34 +/− West of PCT Highlands Meadow 00.00 −10.65 (29.16) +0.21 8360 feet Trail Map 59 & 37 +/+ Top of List EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 65.00 −10 (29.50) +0.10 9602 feet, East Flank Trail Map 59 & 36 +/= EAST FLANK Marine Base Cold Weather Training 6748 feet East Flank Trail Map Above FULL REPORT VIS-CHIL-WEA-MB- WIND 73 & 37 +/− Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 11.82 −6.64 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 63 & -15 +/− ERROR? 31 is likely low Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow 16.30 +10.9 8602 feet Trail Map 64 & 30 +/+ Bensen Lake Loop Slide Canyon 27 −11 (12.09) −13.05 9200 feet, NW Yos Trail Map--Location 61 & 28 +/+ Report (Typically one of the coldest stations) Top of List Tenaya Lake 2.86 −16.25 (10.05) =0.00 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 65 & 28 +/+ JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 0.76 +0.33 (8.32) =0.00 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 65 & 27 +/+ Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (1.16) −3.43 ?? 9798 feet Trail Map 59 & 28 +/+ Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (New) (error) Report 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad Old JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 0.48 +0.22 (16.55) = 0.00 8004 feet Trail Map Above 70 & 43 +/+ NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 34.40 −14.4 (17.44) =0.00 9500 feet Trail Map 63 & 32 +/+ Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 21.70 −12.6 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 64 & 31 +/+ East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (30.60) =0.0 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 65 & 32 +/− East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 2.30 −11.8 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 58 & 31 +/− Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake PREVIOUS READING (no current data: 4/22) 8.34 −6.3 (80.92) +1.18 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 48 & 22 +/+ (Typically the coldest station) Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 12.64 −25.43 11441 feet Trail Map 58 & 36 +/+ JMT Crabtree Meadow PREVIOUS READING (no current data: 5/1) 1.76 −38.04 (40.02) +0.22 10,700 feet Trail Map 53 & 28 +/+ ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List	8 Beautiful Day Sun & Warmth HOT-COOLER BEWARE THE THAW Selected RIVER LEVELS ALL Weather Monitoring DROUGHT REPORTING & THAW- RIVERS Review May of 2017: Endless snow This Week TOP This Week TOP	9 Beautiful Day Sun & Warmth WARM-COOLER Informative "Normal" Vs. Now Forcasts & Reality vs. Averages TRENDS Week-Month- 3 Months HIGH SIERRA SNOW INFO All Snow Info SNOW STATUS & FORECASTS THE SNOWPACK *GRAPHICS* Date-Adjustable High Sierra Snowpack Status MAY 7 NOAA-NOHRSC The High Sierra 5-7-20 ---2015--- Snotel Station Reports Snow Depth MESOWEST stations Carson Pass 0 inches Ebbetts Pass 5 inches Sonora Pass 7 inches Tuolumne Meadows .3 inches 2015 May Snow Depths & Temps LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
10 COOLED-CLOUDS Still Warm Tropical Moisture Blowing out of SW MOTHER'S DAY Warnings NWS RENO E SIERRA WIND ADV Monday NWS SACTO NADA Sat-Mon NWS HANFORD NADA Sat-Mon LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP 2018: Very Early Openings Report from Kennedy Meadows Alex We’re open fully and fish have been stocked. First pct hiker was here yesterday. Lots of snow up high. Expect snow and high runoff until mid July at higher elevations. Highway should be open over pass by memorial weekend. We’re stocked and ready for hikers. Thanks, Matt BIG NEWS 2017: Summer "Opening" of Trails "Put-Off" until it happens. Late July? I mean clear trails across the High Passes. On the Crest Trails. Maybe not at all this Summer.	11 COOLER-CLOUDS Still Warm Tropical Moisture Blowing out of SW Light Storm Anticipated LIGHT RAIN ACROSS SIERRA CREST 2020 Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 11 N Sierra: 13% −3% in 4 days Cen. Sierra: 17% −12% in 4 days S Sierra: 15% −10% in 4 days Ca State: 16% −9% in 4 days Last Reading May 7 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PDF PRE-STORM STATIONS REPORT: Station Reports The EIGHTH --SPRING-- Temp-Snow Check May 11 2020 11 AM Pre Mini-Storm Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: May 7 Next Report: May 16 Red Snow = Near Clear Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 8.00 −7.00 (22.50) = 0.0 7618 feet Trail Map 62 & 44 +/+ PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 00.0 −0 (33.60) =0.0 Echo Lake Resupply Lake Tahoe Resupply 7652 feet Stations Map 60 & 43 −/+ American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 14.0 −8.0 (27.30)−0.10 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 59 & 40 +/+ Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 5.00 −6 (33.90) =0.00 Lake Alpine Resupply 8660 feet Trail Map 57 & 38 −/+ West of PCT Highlands Meadow 00.01 +0.01 (28.70) −0.46 8360 feet Trail Map 56& 36 −/− Top of List EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 60.00 −5 (29.50) =0.00 9602 feet, East Flank Trail Map 53 & 37 −/+ EAST FLANK Marine Base Cold Weather Training 6748 feet East Flank Trail Map Above FULL REPORT VIS-CHIL-WEA-MB- WIND 74 & 34 +/− Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 3.76 −8.06 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 68 & 38 +/+ Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow 5.30 −11 8602 feet Trail Map 57 & 33 −/+ Bensen Lake Loop Slide Canyon 17 −10 (???) 00.00 9200 feet, NW Yos Trail Map--Location 56 & 30 −/− Report (Typically one of the coldest stations) Top of List Tenaya Lake 0.27 −2.59 (10.05) =0.00 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 62 & 31 −/+ JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 1.06 +0.30 (8.32) =0.00 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 62 & 28 +/− Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (ERROR) −X.XX ?? 9798 feet Trail Map 54 & 29 −/+ Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (New) (error) Report 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad Old JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 0.41 −0.07 (16.55) = 0.00 8004 feet Trail Map Above 65 & 32 −/− NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 25.58 −8.82 (17.44) =0.00 9500 feet Trail Map 56 & 35 −/+ Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 13.00 −8.7 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 58 & 27 −/− East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (30.60) =0.0 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 58 & 38 −/+ East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 2.90 +0.6 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 52 & 33 −/+ Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake PREVIOUS READING (no current data: 4/22) 8.34 −6.3 (80.92) +1.18 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 48 & 22 +/+ (Typically the coldest station) Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 23.99 (??) +11.35 11441 feet Trail Map 53 & 33 −/− JMT Crabtree Meadow PREVIOUS READING (no current data: 5/1) 0.00 −1.76 (39.67) −0.35 10,700 feet Trail Map 54 & 43 +/+ ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List 2015 Snotel Station Reports Snow Depth MESOWEST stations Carson Pass 0 inches Ebbetts Pass 0 inches Sonora Pass 0 inches Tuolumne Meadows .80 inches 2015	12 LIGHT SHOWERS Clearing into Afternoon Snow & Temp History This Week in 2019 Snow & Temps This Week in 2018 Snow & Temps This Week in 2017 Snow & Temps Past News Review the May 2019 Trail News Forum Review the May 2017 Trail News Forum May 2015 Driest Year in History May 2016 A Dry Year May 2017 Wettest Year in History May 2018 A Very Dry Year THIS YEAR Our Selected REALTIME High Sierra Crestline Reporting Stations REPORTING The SPRING of 2020 Compare Today with Snow & Temperatures on May 7 May 1 April 22 April 14 April 6 March 31 March 25 WINTER 2020 March 17 March 8 & 13 March 2 Feb 27 Feb 20 Feb 10 Feb 3 Jan 28 Jan 23 Jan 13 & 17 Jan 8 Jan 2 Dec 30 Dec 24 Setting the Table for WINTER 2020 Fall to Winter 2019 Reports	13 LIGHT SHOWERS Weak-Scattered, Warm Warnings NWS RENO E SIERRA SPECIAL STMT Into Next Week BEWARE THE THAW 2020 Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 13 N Sierra: 12% −1% in 2 days Cen. Sierra: 16% −1% in 2 days S Sierra: 13% −2% in 2 days Ca State: 13% −3% in 2 days Last Reading <--- May 11 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PDF HIGH SIERRA SNOW INFO All Snow Info SNOW STATUS & FORECASTS MODIS SIERRA SATELLITE VIEW THE SNOWPACK *GRAPHICS* Date-Adjustable High Sierra Snowpack Status MAY 11 NOAA-NOHRSC The High Sierra 5-11-20 All California Webcams Cams: Layers, Select. 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 13. N Sierra: 130% −12% in 7 days Cen. Sierra: 133% −10% in 7 days S Sierra: 120% −9% in 7 days Ca State: 127% −11% in 7 days 2019 2016 Trans-Sierra Highways OPEN (Weather Permitting) VVR Guide Information Vermilion Valley Resort Website 2015 VVR Reported first JMT hiker on May 14 2015 2015 Opening Early! This Week TOP This Week TOP	14 LIGHT SHOWERS Diminishing, Warm BEST FORECASTS ALL HAZARDS Precipitation General Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts: ALL RAIN FORECASTS & MODELS Direct to Seven Day Precip Animation Precipitation Geographic All High Sierra ZONE & POINT FORECASTS All High Sierra ZONE FORECASTS Now RADAR SATELLITES Direct to GRAPHICAL INTERFACE Forecast Winds? Weather? NorCal Graphics Region, SW US Forecast Temperatures Model Five Day Mean Low Temps Click Green "Latest" Model, observe using step button *All Temps* Let's look at the Big Picture Surface Map The Pacific Ocean US Weather Map All Maps 2018 Snowpack Percent of Average for May 14 +/- change since May 7 N Sierra: 16% (-5%) Cen. Sierra: 20% (-9%) S Sierra: 16% (-5%) Ca State: 17% (-8%) 2018 2016: Carson Pass 44 & 31 degrees, 64" Ebbetts Pass 41 & 29 degrees, 59" Sonora Pass 44 & 33 degrees, 50" Tuolumne Meadows 44 & 25 degrees, 14" 2016	15 CLEARING Warming Warnings NWS RENO E SIERRA SPECIAL STMT Sat through Tuesday NWS SACTO NADA Sat-Mon NWS HANFORD NADA Sat-Mon BEWARE THE THAW 2020 Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 15 N Sierra: 15% +3% in 2 days Cen. Sierra: 15% −1% in 2 days S Sierra: 12% −1% in 2 days Ca State: 14% +1% in 2 days Last Reading <--- May 13 Next Reading May 14 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PDF Point Forecasts Lake Tahoe Forecast Walker Forecast Sonora Pass Forecast Cherry Lake Forecast Lee Vining Forecast Tuolumne Meadows Mammoth Pass Lake Thomas Edison Mount Whitney-Lone Pine Lake Isabella Forecast Move the Map Dot to Customize Forecast Point Trail Maps LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP 2017 Current Snowpack VAST Percent of Average for May 15. Ca State: 181% % of April 1: 140% Compare against previous years. 2017 LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP	16 CLEAR Warm Tropical Moisture Approaches Track It Warnings NWS RENO WIND ADVISORY Sat through Sunday NWS SACTO WINTER STORM WATCH Sun-Mon NWS HANFORD WINTER STORM WARN Sun-Tues BEWARE THE THAW Selected RIVER LEVELS ALL Weather Monitoring DROUGHT REPORTING & THAW- RIVERS Informative "Normal" Vs. Now Forcasts & Reality vs. Averages TRENDS Week-Month- 3 Months Seven Day Freezing Temperatures Probability Model Station Reports The NINTH --SPRING-- Temp-Snow Check May 16 2020 1 PM Pre-Storm Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: May 11 Next Report: May 17 Red Snow = Near Clear Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 0.00 −8.00 (22.70) + 0.2 7618 feet Trail Map 56 & 42 −/− PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 00.0 −0 (34.00) +0.4 Echo Lake Resupply Lake Tahoe Resupply 7652 feet Stations Map 53 & 42 −/− American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 5.0 −9.0 (27.50) +0.20 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 53 & 36 −/− Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 0.00 −5 (33.90) =0.00 Lake Alpine Resupply 8660 feet Trail Map 53 & 39 −/+ West of PCT Highlands Meadow 00.05 +0.04 (29.07) +0.37 8360 feet Trail Map 51 & 32 −/− Top of List EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 57.00 −3 (29.40)−0.10 9602 feet, East Flank Trail Map 51 & 40 −/+ EAST FLANK Marine Base Cold Weather Training 6748 feet East Flank Trail Map Above FULL REPORT VIS-CHIL-WEA-MB- WIND 69 & 32 −/− Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 2.5 −1.26 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 54 & 29 −/− Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow 5.40 +0.1 8602 feet Trail Map 53 & 29 −/− Bensen Lake Loop Slide Canyon 8 −9 (???) 00.00 9200 feet, NW Yos Trail Map--Location 53 & 32 −/+ Report (Typically one of the coldest stations) Top of List Tenaya Lake 0.31 +0.4 (10.08) +0.03 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 58 & 30 −/− JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 0.90 −0.16 (8.32) =0.00 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 63 & 29 +/+ Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (ERROR) −X.XX ?? 9798 feet Trail Map 54 & 30 =/+ Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (New) (error) Report 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad Old JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 0.20 −0.21 (16.55) = 0.00 8004 feet Trail Map Above 63 & 30 −/− NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 14.22 −11.36 (17.44) =0.00 9500 feet Trail Map 55 & 37 −/+ Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 3.10 −9.9 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 58 & 30 −/+ East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (30.60) =0.0 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 63 & 38 +/= East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 2.50 −0.4 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 56 & 32 +/− Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake PREVIOUS READING (no current data: 4/22) 8.34 −6.3 (80.92) +1.18 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 48 & 22 +/+ (Typically the coldest station) Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 14.95 −9.04 11441 feet Trail Map 54 & 36 +/+ JMT Crabtree Meadow PREVIOUS READING (no current data: 5/1) 0.00 −1.76 (39.67) −0.35 10,700 feet Trail Map 54 & 43 +/+ ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
17 AM SHOWERS Tropical, Warm, Clearing Afternoon Track It Storm Activity Expected Through Late Tuesday Warnings NWS RENO WIND ADVISORY Through Sunday NWS SACTO WINTER STORM WARN To 5 pm Tuesday NWS HANFORD WINTER STORM ADVISE To 4 pm Tuesday BEWARE THE THAW Selected RIVER LEVELS ALL Weather Monitoring DROUGHT REPORTING & THAW- RIVERS LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP Station Reports The TENTH --SPRING-- Temp-Snow Check May 17 2020 NOON Post-Storm Front Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: May 16 Next Report: May 17 Red Snow = Near Clear Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 0.00 = 0.00 (22.80) + 0.1 7618 feet Trail Map 57 & 42 +/= PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 1.0 +1 (34.10) +0.1 Echo Lake Resupply Lake Tahoe Resupply 7652 feet Stations Map 57 & 40 +/− American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 6.0 +1.0 (27.70) +0.20 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 55 & 38 +/+ Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 0.00 =0 (34.10) +0.20 Lake Alpine Resupply 8660 feet Trail Map 53 & 38 =/− West of PCT Highlands Meadow 00.00 −0.05 (28.78) −0.29 8360 feet Trail Map 52 & 38 +/+ Top of List EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 53.00 −4 (29.30) −0.10 9602 feet, East Flank Trail Map 49 & 37 −/− EAST FLANK Marine Base Cold Weather Training 6748 feet East Flank Trail Map Above FULL REPORT VIS-CHIL-WEA-MB- WIND 71 & 31 +/− Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 2.3 −0.2 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 54 & 29 =/= Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow 5.40 ERROR +0.1 8602 feet Trail Map 53 & 39 −/+ Bensen Lake Loop Slide Canyon 6 −2 (???) 00.00 9200 feet, NW Yos Trail Map--Location 53 & 37 =/+ Report (Typically one of the coldest stations) Top of List Tenaya Lake 0.40 +0.09 (10.08) =0.00 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 58 & 38 =/+ JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 1.67 +0.77 (8.32) =0.00 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 64 & 33 +/+ Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (ERROR) −X.XX ?? 9798 feet Trail Map 54 & 35 =/+ Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (New) (error) Report 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad Old JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 0.24 +0.04 (16.55) = 0.00 8004 feet Trail Map Above 63 & 42 =/+ NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 12.51 −1.71 (17.44) =0.00 9500 feet Trail Map 56 & 35 +/− Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 1.30 −1.8 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 58 & 30 =/= East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (30.60) =0.0 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 60 & 43 −/+ East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 3.10 +0.6 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 54 & 39 −/+ Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake PREVIOUS READING (no current data: 4/22) 8.34 −6.3 (80.92) +1.18 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 48 & 22 +/+ (Typically the coldest station) Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 10.23 −4.72 11441 feet Trail Map 57 & 36 +/= JMT Crabtree Meadow PREVIOUS READING (no current data: 5/1) 0.00 −1.76 (39.67) −0.35 10,700 feet Trail Map 54 & 43 +/+ ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 17. N Sierra: 133% +6% in 1 day Cen. Sierra: 135% +6% in 1 day S Sierra: 121% +4% in 1 day Ca State: 129% +6% in 1 day 2019 Ebbetts and Sonora Passes 2015: Closing for weak Snow Storm: Carson Pass 0 inches Ebbetts Pass 0 inches Sonora Pass 0 inches See 2015 Report	18 AM SHOWERS Stronger Tropical, Warm, Clearing into Afternoon Valley T-Storms Continious Weak MOUNTAIN Storm Activity LIGHT RAINS ACROSS SIERRA CREST BEWARE THE THAW Warnings NWS RENO NADA NWS SACTO T-STORM SPECIAL STMT & WINTER STORM DOUBLE WARNINGS To 5 pm Tuesday NWS HANFORD WINTER STORM WARN To 5pm Tuesday 2020 Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 18 N Sierra: 16% +1% in 3 days Cen. Sierra: 13% −2% in 3 days S Sierra: 9% −3% in 3 days Ca State: 12% −2% in 3 days Last Reading May 15 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PDF 2018 Tioga Pass to Open May 21, 9am. Hwys 108 & 4 Open 1st Week of May 2015 Bloom reported PCT hikers hiking down closed Hwy 108 for resupply on the 19th. (KM PACK STATION) Station Reports The ELEVENTH --SPRING-- Temp-Snow Check May 18 2020 5-7 PM Post-Storm Front Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: May 17 Next Report: May x Red Snow = Near Clear Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 0.00 = 0.00 (24.40) +1.6 7618 feet Trail Map 43 &3 1 −/− PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 6.0 +5 (36.70) +2.6 Echo Lake Resupply Lake Tahoe Resupply 7652 feet Stations Map 43 & 31 −/− American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 10.0 +4.0 (29.80) 2.1 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 55 & 38 +/+ Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 10.00 +10 (36.10) +2.00 Lake Alpine Resupply 8660 feet Trail Map 39 & 30 −/− West of PCT Highlands Meadow 2.50 +2.5 (29.91) +1.13 8360 feet Trail Map 37 & 26 −/− Top of List EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 65.00 +12 (29.30) +1.70 9602 feet, East Flank Trail Map 38 & 28 −/− EAST FLANK Marine Base Cold Weather Training 6748 feet East Flank Trail Map Above FULL REPORT VIS-CHIL-WEA-MB- WIND 63 & 43 −/+ Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 10.65 +8.35 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 54 & 29 =/= Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow 0.40 ERROR? −5.0 8602 feet Trail Map 39 & 26 −/− Bensen Lake Loop Slide Canyon 10 +4 (???) 00.00 9200 feet, NW Yos Trail Map--Location 37 & 28 −/− Report (Typically one of the coldest stations) Top of List Tenaya Lake 1.95 +1.55 (11.63) +1.55 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 43 & 29 −/− JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 0.71 −0.96 (9.09) +0.77 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 44 & 31 −/− Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (ERROR) −X.XX ?? 9798 feet Trail Map 38 & 26 −/− Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (New) (error) Report 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad Old JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 0.32 +0.08 (17.62) +1.07 8004 feet Trail Map Above 45 & 32 −/− NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 12.51 −1.71 BAD (17.44) =0.00 9500 feet Trail Map 36 & 26 −/− Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 2.00 +0.7 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 38 & 26 −/− East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (30.70) +0.1 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 43 & 30 −/− East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 0.40 −2.7 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 39 & 27 −/− Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake PREVIOUS READING (no current data: 4/22) 8.34 −6.3 (80.92) +1.18 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 48 & 22 +/+ (Typically the coldest station) Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 9.07 −1.16 11441 feet Trail Map 39 & 23 −/− JMT Crabtree Meadow PREVIOUS READING (no current data: 5/1) 0.00 −1.76 (39.67) −0.35 10,700 feet Trail Map 54 & 43 +/+ ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List	19 AM SHOWERS Lighter Tropical, Warm, Clearing into Afternoon Valley T-Storms HIGH SIERRA SNOW INFO All Snow Info SNOW STATUS & FORECASTS FIVE DAY SNOW MODIS SIERRA SATELLITE VIEW THE SNOWPACK *GRAPHICS* Date-Adjustable High Sierra Snowpack Status MAY 17 NOAA-NOHRSC The High Sierra 5-17-20 All California Webcams Cams: Layers, Select. ---2016--- Carson Pass 61 & 36 degrees, 22" Ebbetts Pass 61 & 39 degrees, 14" Sonora Pass 60 & 33 degrees, 17" Tuolumne Meadows 62 & 33 degrees, 0" 2016 2015 Ebbetts and Sonora Passes Closing for weak Snow Storm Carson Pass 0 inches Ebbetts Pass 0 inches Sonora Pass 0 inches 2015 This Week TOP This Week TOP This Week TOP This Week TOP	20 CLEARING Cooler Big High Building In WARMING TREND BEWARE THE THAW Warnings NWS RENO LAKE WIND To 8 pm Tuesday NWS SACTO NADA NWS HANFORD NADA LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP 2020 Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 18 N Sierra: 17% +1% in 2 days Cen. Sierra: 12% −1% in 2 days S Sierra: 11% +2% in 2 days Ca State: 12% 0% in 2 days Last Reading May 15 Next Reading May 26 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PDF 2017 Snowpack & Temps	21 CLEAR Warming Big High Building In WARMING TREND BEWARE THE THAW BEST FORECASTS ALL HAZARDS Precipitation General Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts: ALL RAIN FORECASTS & MODELS Direct to Seven Day Precip Animation Precipitation Geographic All High Sierra ZONE & POINT FORECASTS All High Sierra ZONE FORECASTS Now RADAR SATELLITES Direct to GRAPHICAL INTERFACE 7-Day Forecast Winds? Weather? NorCal Graphics Region, SW US Forecast Temperatures Model Five Day Mean Low Temps Click Green "Latest" Model, observe using step button *All Temps* Let's look at the Big Picture Surface Map The Pacific Ocean US Weather Map All Maps	22 CLEAR Warm-Warming Big High Building In WARMING TREND BEWARE THE THAW Point Forecasts Lake Tahoe Forecast Walker Forecast Sonora Pass Forecast Cherry Lake Forecast Lee Vining Forecast Tuolumne Meadows Mammoth Pass Lake Thomas Edison Mount Whitney-Lone Pine Lake Isabella Forecast Move the Map Dot to Customize Forecast Point Trail Maps This Week TOP	23 CLEAR Warm-Warming Big High Building In WARMING TREND BEWARE THE THAW LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP Forecast Temperatures Model Five Day Mean Low Temps Click Green "Latest" Model, observe using step button *All Temps* 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 23. N Sierra: 172% +7% in 1 day Cen. Sierra: 174% +5% in 1 day S Sierra: 150% +4% in 1 day Ca State: 164% +5% in 1 day 2019 2018 TWISTED SEASONS Hottest & Driest, then Wettest Year Ever, over Three Years Compare Years 2018 LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
24 CLEAR Warming-Hot Big High Building In WARMING TREND BEWARE THE THAW LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP 2018 Snowpack Percent of Average for May 24 +/- change since May 14 N Sierra: 12% (-4%) Cen. Sierra: 15% (-5%) S Sierra: 8% (-8%) Ca State: 12% (-5%) Last May 14 2018	25 MEMORIAL DAY CLEAR -HOT- Big High Building In TREND PEAKING HOT BEWARE THE THAW Selected RIVER LEVELS ALL Weather Monitoring DROUGHT REPORTING & THAW- RIVERS Review the May 2019 Trail News Forum 2015 Memorial Day Echo Lake Chalet and Lake Alpine Lodge OPEN Depending on Weather 2015	26 CLEAR -HOT- Big High Building In TREND PEAKED BEWARE THE THAW Warnings HEAT NWS RENO HEATWAVE-THNDSTRMS N East Sierra, "This Week" NWS SACTO HEAT WARN W Foothills, to Thursday NWS HANFORD HEAT WARN SW Foothills, To Thursday 2020 Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 18 N Sierra: 16% −1% in 8 days Cen. Sierra: 10% −2% in 8 days S Sierra: 7% −4% in 8 days Ca State: 10% −2% in 8 days Last Reading May 18 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PDF This Week in 2017 Snow & Temp 2016-17 High Sierra Season Review -Cloudy--Driz-- --2016-- --Clearing Sky-Warming Carson Pass 49 & 30 degrees, 18" Ebbetts Pass 51 & 31 degrees, 7" Sonora Pass E Flank 46 & 32 degrees, 10" Deadman Creek upper meadow 54 & 31 degrees, 33" Tioga Pass xx & xx degrees, 26? 2016	27 HIGH SIERRA SNOW INFO All Snow Info SNOW STATUS & FORECASTS FIVE DAY SNOW MODIS SIERRA SATELLITE VIEW THE SNOWPACK *GRAPHICS* Date-Adjustable High Sierra Snowpack Status MAY 26 NOAA-NOHRSC The High Sierra 5-26-20 All California Webcams Cams: Layers, Select. BEST FORECASTS ALL HAZARDS Precipitation General Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts: ALL RAIN FORECASTS & MODELS Direct to Seven Day Precip Animation Precipitation Geographic All High Sierra ZONE & POINT FORECASTS All High Sierra ZONE FORECASTS Now RADAR SATELLITES Direct to GRAPHICAL INTERFACE 7-Day Forecast Winds? Weather? NorCal Graphics Region, SW US Forecast Temperatures Model Five Day Mean Low Temps Click Green "Latest" Model, observe using step button *All Temps* Let's look at the Big Picture Surface Map The Pacific Ocean US Weather Map All Maps	28 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 28. N Sierra: 203% +31% in 5 days Cen. Sierra: 203% +29% in 5 days S Sierra: 173% +23% in 5 days Ca State: 191% +37% in 5 days 2019 Deep Snow This Week TOP	29 Point Forecasts Lake Tahoe Forecast Walker Forecast Sonora Pass Forecast Cherry Lake Forecast Lee Vining Forecast Tuolumne Meadows Mammoth Pass Lake Thomas Edison Mount Whitney-Lone Pine Lake Isabella Forecast Move the Map Dot to Customize Forecast Point Trail Maps 2018 Snowpack Percent of Average for May 29 +/- change since May 24 N Sierra: 11% (-1%) Cen. Sierra: 11% (-4%) S Sierra: 5% (-3%) Ca State: 9% (-3%) Last May 24 2017 Snowpack & Temps 2016 Ebbetts Pass Clear of Snow Elev: 8765 ft 2016 This Week TOP	30 LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP Sno-Park Permits End of permit restrictions for use of Sno-Park parking lots. 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for May 30. N Sierra: 212% +9% in 2 days Cen. Sierra: 211% +8% in 2 days S Sierra: 178% +5% in 2 days Ca State: 196% +5% in 2 days 2016 Sonora Pass Clear of Snow (East Flank Station) 8827 ft --2016-- --Clear Sky-Hot 24 hr High & Low+Snow: Carson Pass 60 & 35 degrees, 8" Ebbetts Pass 60 & 41 degrees, 0" Sonora Pass E Flank 60 & 34 degrees, 0" Deadman Creek upper meadow 54 & 31 degrees, 26" Tioga Pass DM ?? & ?? degrees, 23" ?? LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
31 LAST WEEK NEXT MONTH Top Review May of 2017: Endless snow Against May of 2016 Snow cover was gone by the end of May last Year ('16).	1 JUNE 2020	2 JUNE 2020	3 JUNE 2020 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for June 3. N Sierra: 215% +3% in 4 days Cen. Sierra: 216% +5% in 4 days S Sierra: 188% +10% in 4 days Ca State: 201% +5% in 4 days 2019 2018 Snowpack, June 2 About Gone 2017 SnowpacK About Huge 2016 Early Season Heat wave STRONG VALLEY TEMPS TO 100s 2016 Carson Pass 8353 ft Clear of Snow today 49 & 30°, 0" Ebbetts Pass 51 & 31°, 7" Sonora Pass E Flank 67 & 41°, 0" Deadman Creek Upper meadow West flank just below Sonora Pass 72 & 34°, 16" Tioga Pass DM xx & xx°, 17"? 2016	4 JUNE 2020 This Week TOP	5 JUNE 2020	6 JUNE 2020 LAST WEEK NEXT MONTH Top

2020

January February March April May June

July August September October November December

2014 Calendar 2015 Calendar

2016 Calendar 2017 Calendar

2018 Calendar

2019 Calendar

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NOTES:
TRACKING SIERRA CONDITIONS CAREFULLY
2019

2018
The High Sierra resupply spots are all opening up this month or early the next, a good sign that we should have our trip plans and logistics down and done by now.
We have planned-out every overnight campsite we will sleep at and every individual calorie we will consume by now, meaning that we are about ready to finalize our buckets, seal them up, and determine the exact timing of their shipment to best match our anticipated arrival date.

2017:
SIERRA HIGHWAYS ALL CLOSED FOURTH WEEK OF MAY

Review
May 2017 against May 2016

2016:
SIERRA HIGHWAYS OPENING SECOND WEEK OF MAY

2015:
A Deluge of wet and sloppy weather, rain, hail, snow and lightening begins.
The beginning of a sloppy Summer of 2015.

2015
Earliest Opening of Roads and Trails in History?

MAY 1 STATUS 2015
2% of Average Snowpack

MAY 1 STATUS 2016
55% of Average Snowpack

MAY 1 STATUS 2017
194% of Average Snowpack

MAY 1 STATUS 2018
27% of Average Snowpack

CA REPORT, MAY 2018

TWISTED SEASONS
Hottest then Wettest Years Ever over Two Years

Generally,
May gives us a good indication of the unfolding trajectory of Spring.

Specifically,
2016
It is clear that the most powerful and enduring El Nino in history had the effect of leaving us with about half a "normal" snowpack in May.

The big "takeaway" from all these past forty years is the significant changes in fundamental weather patterns.

Weather patterns have broken down in lockstep with the unlimited growth of population, offshore production, and consumption.

Our pattern must change if we hope to pull the weather patterns back into fruitful configurations.

2016:

"Spring" bloomed in Feb.!

"Summer" heat is rising in Late May!

OPENING DATE ASSESMENT
opening of the High Trails across Mountain Passes.

North Sierra opens by May 29.

South Sierra still in Spring Snow Conditions
May 29

High Sierra Backpacker Weather

2017:

Memorial Day
Ten feet of snow on the Crest

Huge bloom everywhere else from the overwhelming supply of water after so long with so little.

2014 Calendar 2015 Calendar

2016 Calendar 2017 Calendar

May 2015 Tracking the Drought page
May 2015 Tracking the Sierra Conditions page.

2018 Calendar

2019 Calendar

2016 OBSERVATIONS AND TRACKING

WHEN WILL THE SIERRA OPEN in 2016?

TRACKING 2016 CONDITIONS

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Mission Statement

2014 Calendar 2015 Calendar 2016 Calendar 2017 Calendar

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Permits
Yosemite National Park and Desolation Wilderness accept reservations six months in advance for Summer backpacking dates.

June 2016 reservations are available in January, July in February, and so on.

Yosemite Permits

Desolation Wilderness

Hoover Wilderness

BACKGROUND
The trajectory of the cold, rain, and snows of Spring provide both excellent backpacking experiences and establish the terms, a baseline for this year’s transition into Spring Conditions.

Regular storm activity laid atop a deep pack of Winter snows wrapped in cold temps indicate a long Winter into Spring transition.

Light snows and irregular storm activity sprinkled on a thin snow pack under high temperatures indicates an early and rapid transitions into Spring and Summer conditions.

Tahoe to Whitney

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2020

January February March April May June

July August September October November December