January 2020 Tahoe to Whitney High Sierra Backpacking Calendar

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

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
LAST YEAR NEXT WEEK TOP FULL WINTER CONDITIONS 2020 Be it a Winter Season of drought or deluge, The Fall Gear has been stowed or complimented by the Heavy Gear of Winter. What's Going On? 2020 Fall to Winter Conditions See 2020 High Sierra Reports Full Fall Kit September 27 Fall Winter Gear Required November 2020 What's Going On? 2019 Fall to Winter Conditions See 2019 High Sierra Reports Full Fall Kit September 27 Fall Winter Gear Required November 2019 What's Going On? 2018 See December of 2017 High Sierra Reports FALL 2017 to WINTER 2018 On September 15th we shifted from Summer to Fall Gear. On November 3rd Winter Gear was Required. After November 26 FULL Winter gear, skills, and fitness levels required. All High Sierra Weather Info Latest Daily Snow Depth Summary Daily Sierra Snowpack % of Normal pdf Daily Snow-Water & Percent of Average All Precipitation-Snow Data All Snow Surveys SWC & Snow Depth Yosemite-Hoover-Desolation & John Muir Trail Hikers: Time to Order Next Year's Permits! Reserved permits for June 2018 now available from Yosemite, Hoover, and Desolation Wilderness Areas. In other words, Yosemite, Desolation, and Hoover Wilderness Areas all offer advanced reservations about six months ahead of your desired hiking dates. This means now is the time to get your JMT permit application, along with other popular hikes, into the Man. All Permits Yosemite Permits Desolation Wilderness		31 DECEMBER 2019 CLOUDY & CLEAR Temperate Day LAST YEAR NEXT WEEK TOP Warnings NWS RENO Special Statement NWS SACTO Special Statement NWS HANFORD Winter Watch Warnings for Sunday Point Forecasts Lake Tahoe Forecast Cherry Lake Forecast Lee Vining Forecast Lake Thomas Edison Lake Isabella Forecast CalTrans 2019 Jan Snow Depth & Temps 2018 Jan Snow Depth & Temps 2017 Jan Snow Depth, 24 hour high & low temps 2016 Jan January: Not Much Compare Today with Snow & Temperatures on Dec 30 Dec 24 Dec 15 & 20 Dec 8 & 12 Dec 2 & 6 Nov 27 Nov 20 Nov 16 Nov 9 Nov 2 Oct 28 Oct 14 Sept 29 Sept 25 Aug 16th 2017 Jan Snow Depth, 24 hour high & low temps	1 CLOUDY & CLEAR Temperate Day Recent Winters Jan 2015 Driest Year in History Jan 2016 An Average-Dry Year Jan 2017 Wettest Year in History LAST YEAR 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 This Week TOP	2 CLOUDY & CLEAR Temperate Day 2020 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 2. N Sierra: 77% −4% in 2 days. Cen. Sierra: 90% −4% in 2 days. S Sierra: 104% −5% in 2 days. Ca State: 90% −4% in 2 days. Last Measurement: Dec 31, 2019 Next Measurement: Jan 6 & 9 2019-18 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PD Station Reports The THIRD --WINTER-- Temp-Snow Check January 2 2020 7 PM - 7 PM Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: Dec 30 Next Report: Jan 8 Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 31.0 −3.00 (10.60) + 0.10 7618 feet Trail Map 41 & 31 +/+ PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 41.0 −2 (16.60) + 0.10 7652 feet Stations Map 43 & 30 +/+ American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 45.0 −3 (13.70) +0.10 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 41 & 27 +/+ Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 44.0 −4 (18.0) +0.10 8660 feet Trail Map 41 & 27 +/+ West of PCT Highlands Meadow 22.39 −1.62 (10.74) +0.3 8360 feet Trail Map 38 & 27 +/+ EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 56.0 −2.0 (14.10) +0.1 9602 feet, East Flank Trail Map 38 & 30 +/+ EAST FLANK Marine Base Cold Weather Training 6748 feet East Flank Trail Map Above FULL REPORT VIS-CHIL-WEA-MB- WIND 52 & 19 +/− Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 22.86 −1.58 (--.--) 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 40 & 29 +/+ Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow Error =0.4 ??? 8602 feet Trail Map 42 & 33 +/+ Top of List Tenaya Lake 35.84 −2.86 (3.68) +0.06 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 46 & 22 +/+ JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 27.14 −1.29 (3.23) +0.42 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 46 & 17 +/= Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (0.60) +0.13 9798 feet Trail Map 39 & 28 +/+ Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (error) 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 29.52 −4.68 (7.67) =0.00 8004 feet Trail Map Above 49 & 15 +/− NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 50.88 +0.53 (0.48) = ?? 9500 feet Trail Map 41 & 27 +/+ Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 33.50 −2.5 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 38 & 31 +/+ East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (28.80) +0.1 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 46 & 20 +/+ East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 22.80 −2.8 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 38 & 18 +/+ Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake 37.10 −2.96 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 40 & 16 +/= (Typically the coldest station) Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 32.11 −3.73 11441 feet Trail Map 38 & 24 +/+ JMT Crabtree Meadow 5.08 −2.16 error ?? (32.43) +0.46 10,700 feet Trail Map 41 & 24 +/+ ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List 2018 2018 January 2 HIGH SIERRA REPORT What we're seeing today is one step in a transition between the last and the next in the series of vast, massive cells of persistant High Pressure air that have been covering the West Coast of California (if not the whole West Coast of North America) over the whole month of December.	3 CLOUDY & CLEAR Temperate Day BEST FORECASTS 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 This Week TOP 2019 Persistant Blocking Ridge Extended Clear Weather breaking today 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 3. N Sierra: 62% Cen. Sierra:68% S Sierra: 70% Ca State: 67% 2018 *Pre-Storm* Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 3. N Sierra: 21% Cen. Sierra:29% S Sierra: 20% Ca State: 24% 2017 Jan Today's Snow Depth, 24 hour high & low temp This Week TOP This Week TOP	4 EARLY SHOWERS Clearring into Cloudy HHIGH SIERRA SNOW INFO All Snow Info SNOW STATUS & FORECASTS THE SNOWPACK *GRAPHICS* Date-Adjustable High Sierra Snowpack Status NOAA-NOHRSC The High Sierra 1-2-20 *Direct* to Two Day SNOW FORECAST Seven Day Forecast ALL PRECIP TOOLS Mountain Safety AVALANCHE DANGERS Winter Backpacking Considerations Seven Day Freezing Temperature Probability Model LAST YEAR NEXT WEEK TOP 2019 Jan Today's Snow Depth, 24 hour high & low temp LAST YEAR NEXT WEEK TOP LAST YEAR NEXT WEEK TOP LAST YEAR NEXT WEEK TOP
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
5 SWEET & CLEAR Temperate Day WARM Spring-Like Day Gonna Be A COLD Night LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP 2019 Snow Depth & Temps 2018 Snow Depth & Temps 2017 Snow Depth, 24 hour high & low temps	6 SWEET & CLEAR Temperate Day 2020 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 6. N Sierra: 73% −4% in 4 days. Cen. Sierra: 83% −7% in 4 days. S Sierra: 96% −8% in 4 days. Ca State: 83% −7% in 4 days. Last Measurement: Jan 2 2019-18 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PD Selected Weather Resources Surface Low Pressure Tracks Radar Visible Satellites Water Vapor Satellites MAPS Sierra Forecasts Western US Forecasts Precip Animation & Charts Graphical Precip Forecast All Sierra Snow Info Sierra Sensor Networks Watersheds and Selected Network of Crestline Sensors High Sierra Highways All Weather Information	7 SWEET & CLEAR Temperate Day Late PM Showers THE SNOWPACK *GRAPHICS* Date-Adjustable High Sierra Snowpack Status NOAA-NOHRSC The High Sierra 1-7-20 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 7. N Sierra: 79% +17% in 4 days!! Cen. Sierra:87% +19% in 4 days! S Sierra: 86% +16% in 4 days! Ca State: 84% +17% in 4 days! 2017 Storm Time Tropical Pounding Rain on the Sierra Crest. Ground Saturating, All Rivers Rising. This Week TOP LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP This Week TOP This Week TOP	8 CLOUDY Cooler Day COOL DayS COLD Nights Warnings NWS RENO Winter Advisory NWS SACTO Winter Advisory NWS HANFORD No Warning Advisories for Thursday Station Reports The FOURTH --WINTER-- Temp-Snow Check January 8 2020 7 PM - 7 PM Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: Jan 2 Next Report: Jan 13 Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 30.0 −1.00 (10.60) = 0.00 7618 feet Trail Map 45 & 34 +/+ PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 41.0 =0 (16.40) − 0.20 7652 feet Stations Map 45 & 34 +/+ American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 44.0 −1 (13.70) =0.00 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 31 & 21 −/− Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 44.0 = 0 (17.9)−0.10 8660 feet Trail Map 42 & 30 +/+ West of PCT Highlands Meadow 19.98 −2.41 (10.58) −0.16 8360 feet Trail Map 29 & 18 −/− EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 54.0 −2.0 (14.00) −0.1 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 52 & 14 =/− Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 23.16 +0.03 (--.--) 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 29 & 14 −/− Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow Error =0.4 ??? 8602 feet Trail Map 40 & 9 −/− Top of List Tenaya Lake 35.83 −0.01 (3.66) −0.02 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 32 & 7 −/− JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 26.33 −0.81 (3.23) =0.00 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 33 & 6 −/− Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (0.83) +0.23 9798 feet Trail Map 27 & 9 −/− Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (error) 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 26.12 −3.4 (7.67) =0.00 8004 feet Trail Map Above 35 & 13 −/− NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 49.09 −1.79 (0.48) = ?? 9500 feet Trail Map 30 & 14 −/− Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 31.70 −1.8 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 32 & 4 −/− East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (28.80) =0.0 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 39 & 13 −/− East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 21.30 −1.5 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 34 & 7 −/− Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake 34.62 −2.48 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 27 & 3 −/− (Typically the coldest station) Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 30.15 −1.96 11441 feet Trail Map 28 & 10 −/− JMT Crabtree Meadow 3.77 −1.31 error ?? (32.73) +0.30 10,700 feet Trail Map 34 & 6 −/− ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List	9 CLOUDY AM Showers Cooler Day 2020 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 9. N Sierra: 71% −2% in 3 days. Cen. Sierra: 79% −4% in 4 days. S Sierra: 90% −6% in 3 days. Ca State: 78% −5% in 3 days. Next Measurement: Jan 13 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PD 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 10. N Sierra: 90% +11% in 3 days!! Cen. Sierra:89% +2% in 3 days S Sierra: 90% +4% in 3 days Ca State: 91% +7% in 3 days 2018 Post-Storm Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 10. N Sierra: 18% Cen. Sierra: 30% S Sierra: 25% Ca State: 26% 2017 Snow Depth, 24 hour high & low temps 2016 2015 REALTIME High Sierra Crestline Reporting Stations WINTER 2020 Compare Today with Snow & Temperatures on Jan 2 Dec 30 Dec 24 Full Winter Report LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP	10 CLOUDY AM Showers Cooler Day Forecast Temperatures Direct to Model Five Day Mean Low Temps Click Green "Latest" Model, observe using step button *All Temps* On the Weather Page Seven Day Freezing Temperature Probability Model Mountain Safety AVALANCHE DANGERS Winter Backpacking Considerations GEAR *All Temps* Snow Status *followed by* Snow Forecasts Informative "Normal" Vs. Now Forcasts & Reality vs. Averages REALTIME High Sierra Crestline Reporting Stations FALL to WINTER 2019 Compare Today with Snow & Temperatures on Dec 15 & 20 Dec 8 & 12 Dec 2 & 6 Nov 27 Nov 20 Nov 16 Nov 9 Nov 2 Oct 28 Oct 14 Sept 29 Sept 25 Aug 16th Full Winter Report Stations Rubicon 7618 feet Echo Peak 7652 feet Carson Pass 8388 feet Ebbetts Pass 8660 feet Leavitt Lake 9602 feet Marine Base 6748 feet East Flank Deadman Creek 9250 feet Tuolumne Meadows 8600 feet Tioga Pass/Dana 9798 feet Gem Pass 10750 feet Mammoth Pass 9500 feet South Lake Cabin 9580 feet Big Pine Sawmill 10200 feet Bishop Pass 11972 feet Charlotte Lake 10398 feet Upr Tyndall Creek 11441 feet All High Sierra Reporting Stations	11 CLEAR Cold COLD DayS COLD Nights LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP BEST FORECASTS 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 LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
12 CLOUDY Cold Warnings NWS RENO Winter Advisory NWS SACTO Winter Watch NWS HANFORD Winter Watch COLD DayS COLD Nights Jan 12 2020 Pulsing Weak Precip PATTERN Pulses of Weak Precip, beginning late last week as a series of weak Lows began passing to the North of the Sierra, while being carried around the North flank of a big High that is still building into the center of the NE Pacific, continues.... High Times The positioning of this High is determining the movement of the Lows and their associated Fronts, and if they impact the Sierra strongly or not. The further West the High moves (in the NE Pacific), the more tendency the storms have of sliding down its East flank and across the Sierra. The further East the High moves, the more the Sierra (and California generally), sits under the rain-shadow on the Eastern flank of the High, as the shape and movement of the High deflects Lows around the Sierra. In one location this shape & movement directs storms around us, while in another it points them at us. Problems in Paradise It's when this High stays in one position for extended periods that problems, be they wet or dry problems, quickly build up. BEST MAP The Ridiculously Resilient Ridge LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP	13 CLOUDY & CLEAR Cold Light AM Sprinkles Warnings NWS RENO E Sierra Wind-Lake Wind Winter Advisory Monday-Tuesday, Wendesday-Thursday NWS SACTO Winter Advisory Tonight thru Thursday NWS HANFORD Winter Watch Wednesday-Thursday COOL DayS COLD Nights 2020 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 13. N Sierra: 70% −1% in 4 days. Cen. Sierra: 75% −4% in 4 days. S Sierra: 83% −7% in 4 days. Ca State: 75% −3% in 4 days. Last Measurements: Jan 6 & 9 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PD Station Reports The FIFTH --WINTER-- Temp-Snow Check January 13 2020 4 PM - 4 PM Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: Jan 8 Next Report: Jan 17 ---> Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 30.0 =0.00 (10.70) + 0.10 7618 feet Trail Map 35 & 24 −/− PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 41.0 =0 (16.70) + 0.30 7652 feet Stations Map 35 & 22 −/− American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 43.0 −1 (13.80) + 0.10 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 35 & 18 +/− Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 41.0 −3.0 (18.1) + 0.20 8660 feet Trail Map 33 & 18 −/− West of PCT Highlands Meadow 19.74 −0.24 (10.84) +0.26 8360 feet Trail Map 29 & 13 =/− Top of List EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 55.0 +1.0 (14.30) +0.30 9602 feet, East Flank Trail Map 29 & 19 −/− EAST FLANK Marine Base Cold Weather Training 6748 feet East Flank Trail Map Above FULL REPORT VIS-CHIL-WEA-MB- WIND 48 & 18 −/+ Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 23.39 +0.23 (--.--) 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 31 & 11 +/− Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow Error =0.4 ??? 8602 feet Trail Map 31 & −1 −/− Top of List Tenaya Lake 33.41 −2.42 (3.69) +0.03 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 36 & 1 +/− JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 25.74 −0.59 (3.25) +0.02 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 39 & 0 +/− Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (0.90) +0.17 9798 feet Trail Map 33 & 12 +/+ Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (error) 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 25.29 −0.83 (7.69) +0.02 8004 feet Trail Map Above 38 & 7 +/− NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 48.29 −0.8 (0.48) = ?? 9500 feet Trail Map 34 & 15 +/+ Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 31.50 −0.2 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 40 & 10 +/+ East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (28.80) =0.0 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 46 & 23 +/+ East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 20.70 −0.6 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 38 & 19 +/+ Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake 33.83 −0.79 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 35 & 6 +/+ (Typically the coldest station) Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 29.67 −0.48 11441 feet Trail Map 33 & 15 +/+ JMT Crabtree Meadow X.XX −X.XX error ! (32.84) +0.11 10,700 feet Trail Map 37 & 13 +/+ ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List	14 CLOUDY AM Showers Point Forecast Walker Forecast Great Trip COOL DayS COLD Nights Forecast Temperatures Direct to Model Five Day Mean Low Temps Click Green "Latest" Model, observe using step button Direct to Model Seven Day Freezing Temperature Probability Model *All Temps* The Weather Page REALTIME High Sierra Crestline Reporting Stations WINTER 2020 Fall to Winter Compare Today with Snow & Temperatures on Jan 8 Jan 2 Dec 30 Dec 24 2019, 14th Snow Depth & Temps 2018, 14th Snow Depth & Temps 2017 Snow Depth, 24 hour high & low temp	15 CLOUDY & CLEAR Bigger Front Coming... Warnings NWS RENO Winter Storm Warning Avalanche Watch Thursday-Friday NWS SACTO Winter Storm Warning Tonight thru Friday NWS HANFORD Winter Storm Warning Thursday-Friday COOL DayS COLD Nights LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP 2020 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 15. N Sierra: 74% +4% in 2 days. Cen. Sierra: 75% =% in 2 days. S Sierra: 80% −3% in 2 days. Ca State: 76% +1% in 2 days. Informative "Normal" Vs. Now Forcasts & Reality vs. Averages 2019 MANY WARNINGS WINTER STORM BLIZZARD WARNING!! CALENDAR WINTER STORM WARNINGS Fire Zone FLASH FLOOD WARNING YOS VALLEY FLOOD WARNING WIND WARNINGS Up & Down Sierra Any semblance of a High Pressure blocking ridge has been shattered... This Week TOP This Week TOP This Week TOP	16 STRONG FRONT Heavy Precip Warnings NWS RENO Winter Storm Warning Avalanche Watch Thursday-Friday NWS SACTO Winter Storm Warning Tonight thru Friday NWS HANFORD Winter Storm Warning Thursday-Friday CalTrans Point Forecasts Lake Tahoe Forecast Walker Forecast Sonora Pass Forecast Cherry Lake Forecast Lee Vining Forecast Tuolumne Meadows Mammoth Pass Lake Thomas Edison Lake Isabella Forecast Move the Map Dot to Customize Forecast Point Trail Maps PCT-JMT-TWT 2020? Considering Access 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 16. N Sierra: 91% +1% in 6 days Cen. Sierra:90% +1% in 6 days S Sierra: 87% -3% in 6 days Ca State: 90% -1% in 6 days This Week TOP	17 CLEARING Cold COLD DayS COLD Nights Forecast Links Below 2020 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 17. N Sierra: 83% +9% in 2 days. Cen. Sierra: 78% +3% in 2 days. S Sierra: 81% +1% in 2 days. Ca State: 82% +6% in 2 days. Next Measurement: Jan 23 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PD Station Reports The SIXTH --WINTER-- Temp-Snow Check January 17 2020 9 AM - 9 AM Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: Jan 13 Next Report: Jan 23 2020 Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 46.0 +16.00 (12.10) +1.40 7618 feet Trail Map 31 & 17 −/− PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 56.0 +15 (19.00) + 2.30 7652 feet Stations Map 31 & 17 −/− American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 52.0 +9 (14.50) + 0.70 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 28 & 12 −/− Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 56.0 +15 (19.4) + 1.30 8660 feet Trail Map 28 & 14 −/− West of PCT Highlands Meadow 19.33 −0.41 ?? (11.02) +0.18 ?? 8360 feet Trail Map 26 & 9 −/− Top of List EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 70.0 +15.0 (15.10) +0.80 9602 feet, East Flank Trail Map 29 & 11 =/− EAST FLANK Marine Base Cold Weather Training 6748 feet East Flank Trail Map Above FULL REPORT VIS-CHIL-WEA-MB- WIND 40 & 19 −/+ Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 22.35 −0.04 (--.--) 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 25 & 6 −/− Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow Error =0.4 ??? 8602 feet Trail Map 27 & −3 −/− Top of List Tenaya Lake 41.89 +8.48 (3.73) +0.04 ?? 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 30 & 0 −/− JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 36.18 +10.44 (3.25) +0.02 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 29 & −2 −/− Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (0.91) +0.01 ?? 9798 feet Trail Map 23 & 2 −/− Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (error) 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 36.39 +11.10 (8.28) +0.59 8004 feet Trail Map Above 33 & 5 −/− NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 55.34 +7.05 (0.48) = ?? 9500 feet Trail Map 24 & 7 −/− Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 44.40 +12.9 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 25 & 0 −/− East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (28.90) +0.1 ?? 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 26 & 10 −/− East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 25.30 +4.6 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 23 & 8 −/− Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake 43.99 +10.16 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 30 & −4 −/− (Typically the coldest station) Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 36.42 +6.75 11441 feet Trail Map 24 & −7 −/− JMT Crabtree Meadow X.XX −X.XX error ! (31.94) −0.9 ?? 10,700 feet Trail Map 26 & −1 −/− ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List	18 GLOOMY Cloudy-Warmer LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP MODIS SIERRA VIEW All California Webcams Cams: Layers, Select. Mountain Safety AVALANCHE DANGERS Winter Backpacking Considerations SNOW INFO All Snow Info SNOW STATUS & FORECASTS SNOW FORECASTS *Direct* to Two Day SNOW FORECAST Seven Day Forecast ALL PRECIP TOOLS THE SNOWPACK Snow Status *GRAPHICS* Snow Status Date-Adjustable High Sierra Snowpack Status Snow Status NOAA-NOHRSC The High Sierra 1-13-20 LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 18. N Sierra: 113% +22% in 3 days!! Cen Sierra:110% +20% in 3 days! S Sierra: 110% +23% in 3 days! Ca State: 111% +21% in 3 days! 2018 & 2017 on the 20th 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
19 GLOOMY Cloudy-Warmer LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP 2019 Snow Depth & Temps 2018 Snow Depth & Temps 2017 Snow Depth, 24 hour high & low temps	20 MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY GLOOMY Cloudy-Cool Warnings NWS RENO Special Statement Passes Tuesday NWS SACTO Special Statement Tonight thru Early Wed NWS HANFORD NADA ---- 2018 Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 20. N Sierra: 17% Cen. Sierra: 27% S Sierra: 21% Ca State: 22% Last: Jan 3, 2018 2018 2017 Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 20. N Sierra: 143% Cen. Sierra:168% S Sierra: 197% Ca State: 168% 2017	21 MODERATE FRONT Moderate Precip BEST FORECASTS 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	22 CLOUDY Diminished Showers, Warm Point Forecasts Lake Tahoe Forecast Walker Forecast Sonora Pass Forecast Cherry Lake Forecast Lee Vining Forecast Tuolumne Meadows Mammoth Pass Lake Thomas Edison Lake Isabella Forecast Move the Map Dot to Customize Forecast Point Trail Maps Eyes MODIS SIERRA VIEW All California Webcams Cams: Layers, Select.	23 CLOUDY Warmer 2020 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 23. N Sierra: 81% −2% in 6 days. Cen. Sierra: 73% −5% in 6 days. S Sierra: 85% −6% in 6 days. Ca State: 76% −6% in 6 days. Last Measurement: Jan 17 Next Measurement: Jan 27 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PD SNOW INFO All Snow Info SNOW STATUS & FORECASTS SNOW FORECASTS *Direct* to Two Day SNOW FORECAST Seven Day Forecast ALL PRECIP TOOLS 2018 Weather Notes TWISTED SEASONS Hottest & Driest, then Wettest Year Ever, over Three Years Compare Years Station Reports The SEVENTH --WINTER-- Temp-Snow Check January 23 2020 12 NOON - 12 NOON Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: Jan 17 Next Report: Jan 28 Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 37.0 −9.00 (12.40) +0.30 7618 feet Trail Map 43 & 33 +/+ PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 50.0 −6 (19.70) + 0.70 7652 feet Stations Map 46 & 33 +/+ American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 46.0 −6 (14.80) + 0.30 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 43 & 26 +/+ Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 48.0 −8 (19.8) +0.40 8660 feet Trail Map 46 & 31 +/+ West of PCT Highlands Meadow 17.98 −1.35 (11.96) +0.94 8360 feet Trail Map 42 & 20 +/+ Top of List EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 61.0 −9.0 (15.50) +0.40 9602 feet, East Flank Trail Map 43 & 29 +/+ EAST FLANK Marine Base Cold Weather Training 6748 feet East Flank Trail Map Above FULL REPORT VIS-CHIL-WEA-MB- WIND 51 & 24 +/+ Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 27.15 +4.8 (--.--) 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 44 & 17 +/+ Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow Error =0.4 ??? 8602 feet Trail Map 48 & 9 +/+ Top of List Tenaya Lake 40.57 −0.34 (4.07) =0.00 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 48 & 14 +/+ JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 30.10 −6.08 (3.66) +0.41 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 50 & 8 +/+ Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (1.23) +0.32 ?? 9798 feet Trail Map 42 & 15 +/+ Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (error) 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 29.54 −6.85 (8.43) +0.15 8004 feet Trail Map Above 49 & 15 +/+ NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 51.35 −3.99 (0.48) = ?? 9500 feet Trail Map 44 & 23 +/+ Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 39.60 −4.8 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 51 & 15 +/+ East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (28.90) =0.0 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 48 & 16 +/+ East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 21.20 −4.1 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 42 & 13 +/+ Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake 43.03 −0.96 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 34 & 21 +/+ (Typically the coldest station) WRONG DATE Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 34.39 −2.03 11441 feet Trail Map 42 & 19 +/+ JMT Crabtree Meadow X.XX −X.XX error ! (33.13) +1.19 10,700 feet Trail Map 41 & 16 +/+ ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List	24 CLOUDY & SUN Warmer CalTrans 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 24. N Sierra: 111% -2% in 6 days!! Cen. Sierra:113% +3% in 6 days! S Sierra: 108% -2% in 6 days! Ca State: 111% No change in 6 days! 2019 This Week TOP REALTIME High Sierra Crestline Reporting Stations WINTER 2020 Fall to Winter Compare Today with Snow & Temperatures on Jan 13 & 17 Jan 8 Jan 2 Dec 30 Dec 24 Full Winter Report This Week TOP This Week TOP This Week TOP	25 LIGHT SHOWERS Early-AM LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP Informative "Normal" Vs. Now Forcasts & Reality vs. Averages LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK TOP
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
26 CLOUDY & CLEAR Spots LAST WEEK NEXT MONTH TOP 2019 Snow Depth & Temps 2018 Snow Depth & Temps 2017 Snow Depth, 24 hour high & low temps 2018 Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 26. (Change since Jan 20.) N Sierra: 27% (+10%) Cen. Sierra: 35% (+7%) S Sierra: 24% (+3%) Ca State: 30% (+8%) 2018	27 LIGHT SHOWERS Mid-PM 2020 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 27. N Sierra: 79% −2% in 4 days. Cen. Sierra: 74% +1% in 4 days. S Sierra: 70% −15% in 4 days. Ca State: 75% −1% in 4 days. Last Measurement: Jan 23 Next Measurement: Feb 3 THE SNOWPACK Snow Status *GRAPHICS* Snow Status Date-Adjustable High Sierra Snowpack Status Snow Status NOAA-NOHRSC The High Sierra 1-28-20 *All Snow* More Snow: This Week TOP REALTIME High Sierra Crestline Reporting Stations WINTER 2020 Fall to Winter Compare Today with Snow & Temperatures on Jan 23 Jan 13 & 17 Jan 8 Jan 2 Dec 30 Dec 24 Full Winter Report	28 LIGHT SHOWERS Weak but Cooler Pattern Note COOL DayS COLD Nights 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 28. N Sierra: 106% -5% in 4 days!! Cen. Sierra:106% -7% in 4 days! S Sierra: 101% -7% in 4 days! Ca State: 105% -6% in 4 days! Last Reading January 24 Statewide Summary of Snow Water Content PDF 2019 2017, 28th Clear Blue Skies, High off CA Coast 2016 Sierra approaching season-normal snow and precip for first time in years. Station Reports The EIGHTH --WINTER-- Temp-Snow Check January 28 2020 11 AM - 11 PM Below: Watershed Snow Water Content Charts followed by individual reporting station's Snow Depth and 24 hour high-low temps. Last Report: Jan 23 Next Report: Jan 2020- Tahoe Basin Watershed Southwest Tahoe Trail Map with Stations PCT-TYT-TRT Rubicon 36.0 −1.00 (13.20) +0.80 7618 feet Trail Map 36 & 30 −/− PCT-TYT-TRT Echo Peak 51.0 +1 (20.20) + 1.20 7652 feet Stations Map 38 & 30 −/− American-Yuba Watersheds PCT-TYT Carson Pass 47.0 +1 (15.10) + 0.30 8388 feet Trail Map Stations Map 35 & 20 −/− Carson-Walker Watersheds PCT-TYT Ebbetts Pass 51.0 +3 (20.5) +0.70 8660 feet Trail Map 36 & 28 −/− West of PCT Highlands Meadow 19.28 +1.30 (12.36) +0.40 8360 feet Trail Map 30 & 16 −/− Top of List EAST FLANK Leavitt Lake 65.0 +4.0 (16.00) +0.50 9602 feet, East Flank Trail Map 35 & 28 −/− EAST FLANK Marine Base Cold Weather Training 6748 feet East Flank Trail Map Above FULL REPORT VIS-CHIL-WEA-MB- WIND 49 & 23 −/− Mokelumne-Stanislaus Watersheds PCT-TYT Sonora Pass Kennedy Meadows RESUPPLY Deadman Creek 29.74 +2.59 (--.--) 9250 feet,West Flank, Trail Map 34 & 19 −/+ Tuolumne-Merced Watersheds SW of TYT Horse Meadow Error =0.4 ??? 8602 feet Trail Map 42 & 6 −/− Top of List Tenaya Lake 40.43 −0.14 (4.59) +0.52 8163 feet, West Flank Trail Map 39 & 8 −/− JMT-PCT-TYT Tuolumne Meadows 30.10 +0.72 (4.02) +0.36 8600 feet, West Flank Trail Map 39 & 5 −/− Tioga Pass/Dana ERROR +ERROR (1.36) +0.13 ?? 9798 feet Trail Map 33 & 13 −/− Mammoth Mountain Mono Lake-Owens Basin East of PCT-JMT Above Gem Lake Gem Pass (error) 10750 feet Trail Map temps bad JMT-PCT Junction Devils Postpile 27.10 −2.44 (8.43) +0.21 8004 feet Trail Map Above 30 & 12 −/− NE of JMT-PCT Mammoth Pass 51.65 +0.30 (0.48) = ?? 9500 feet Trail Map 40 & 22 −/− Top of List JMT-PCT E of Bear Ridge Volcanic Knob 39.40 −0.2 (0.00) = ?? 10100 feet Trail Map 42 & 14 −/− East Flank South Lake Cabin no snow sensor (28.90) =0.0 9580 feet, East Flank Trail Map 48 & 21 =/+ East Flank Big Pine Sawmill 20.30 −0.9 10200 feet, East Flank Trail Map Above 40 & 17 −/+ Kings River Just East JMT-PCT Bishop Pass (bad) (0.0) = 11972 feet Trail Map Above -- & -- −/− (earlier) Just West JMT-PCT Charlotte Lake 43.03 −ERROR- 10398 feet, West Flank Trail Map 35 & 11 +/− (Typically the coldest station) WRONG DATE Kern Watershed JMT-PCT Upr Tyndall Creek 34.24 −0.15 11441 feet Trail Map 33 & 20 −/+ JMT Crabtree Meadow X.XX −X.XX error ! (33.20) +0.07 10,700 feet Trail Map 38 & 15 −/− ? = questionable data All High Sierra Reporting Stations More Stations, by Watersheds Top of List	29 CLOUDY & SUN Warmer Warming... COOL DayS COLD Nights Spring-"ish" BEST FORECASTS 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	30 CLOUDY & CLEARING Warmer Point Forecasts Lake Tahoe Forecast Walker Forecast Sonora Pass Forecast Cherry Lake Forecast Lee Vining Forecast Tuolumne Meadows Mammoth Pass Lake Thomas Edison Lake Isabella Forecast Move the Map Dot to Customize Forecast Point Trail Maps This Week TOP This Week TOP This Week TOP	31 SNOW FORECASTS *Direct* to Two Day SNOW FORECAST Seven Day Forecast ALL PRECIP TOOLS !! SEASON-NORMAL SNOW 2019 Current Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 31. N Sierra: 100% -6% in 3 days!! Cen. Sierra:102% -4% in 3 days! S Sierra: 97% -4% in 3 days! Ca State: 100% -5% in 3 days! 2019 2018 Snowpack: Percent of Average for January 31. (Change since Jan 26.) N Sierra: 29% (+2%) Cen. Sierra: 35% (+0%) S Sierra: 21% (-3%) Ca State: 30% (+0%) 2018: Note Minimal Snow 2017: Note Massive Snow & Low Temps!! See Feb 3, 2017 Snow	1 FEBRUARY 2020 CLOUDY & CLEARING Windy-Cool LAST WEEK NEXT MONTH TOP February 2015 Driest Year in History February 2016 An Average Year February 2017 Wettest Year in History 2018 Weather Notes TWISTED SEASONS Hottest & Driest, then Wettest Year Ever, over Three Years Compare Years Advice for Rookie Hikers wishing to hike the TYT-JMT-PCT PCT HIKER NOTES Above LAST WEEK NEXT MONTH TOP LAST WEEK NEXT MONTH TOP LAST WEEK NEXT MONTH TOP LAST WEEK NEXT MONTH TOP

BACKGROUND
The trajectory of the cold, rain, and snows of January 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.

Important Seasonal Happenings, Transitions, Events & Dates
for
High Sierra Backpackers

Road Conditions, Resupply, Seasonal Transition Concerns, Permit Dates, Weather, Water, and Mosquitoes

Trailhead

Contact
Alex Wierbinski

Lake Tahoe to Mount Whitney

Your guide to backpacking the Sierra Crest, including the Tahoe to Yosemite, Pacific Crest, and John Muir Trails

© 2017 Lake Tahoe to Mount Whitney: Crown Jewel of the Pacific Crest Trail

Important Seasonal Happenings, Transitions, Events & Dates for High Sierra Backpackers