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yosemite valley – yosemite – 2.20.19
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Daily Report – Yosemite National Park
Friday, February 22nd, 2019
Today: Sunny. Not as cold. Highs 33 to 39 at 5000 feet…23 to 29 at 8000 feet.
Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows 18 to 24 at 5000 feet…9 to 15 at 8000 feet.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. Highs 37 to 43 at 5000 feet…27 to 35 at 8000 feet.
Additional Point Forecast Weather Links:
Yosemite Valley | Wawona | Tuolumne Meadows | Glacier Point | Big Oak Flat | Hetch Hetchy | El Portal | Mariposa | Badger Pass
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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY
No new announcements
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RECENT NEWS
Wildland Fire Resource Advisor Training April 2-4
Yosemite National Park and the Sierra National Forest will be partnering to host a Wildland Fire Resource Advisor Training at the Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst, April 2-4. This course is intended to provide participants with the foundation to serve as Resource Advisor (READ) and Resource Advisor – Fireline (REAF) during wildland fire incidents.
Resource Advisors generally work with fire managers to convey concerns about natural, cultural and wilderness resources during a wildland fire incident. The objectives of this course are to improve communication between READ/REAF and fire managers, present the rationale for prioritizing and determining an appropriate response to those resource issues, demonstrating how READ/REAF can contribute to the management of an incident, and provide expectations of professional READ or REAF. The course will focus on roles and responsibilities, and will provide participants with strategies and tools for evaluating specific resource concerns. Information will be presented in sufficient detail to serve as a refresher for present resource advisors, and general enough to be basic READ or REAF training for those who have never served in this capacity.
For more information or to submit a nomination, please contact Kendra Owenby at kendra_owenby@nps.gov. The application deadline is COB March 22. (K. Owenby)
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Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update For February 20, 2019
New snow: 39 inches
Total settled snow depth: 92 inches (at 8,600 feet)
High temperature: 32°F (February 14)
Low temperature: -17°F (February 19)
Ski Conditions and Weather: This week continued the February weather trend of cold and wet. It started with a warm AR (Atmospheric River) storm that brought rain, graupel, thunder, lightning and then snow and lots of wind. The week is now ending with a cold “inside slider” storm that is forecast to bring a few more inches of snow and below average temperatures. Our weather plot here in Tuolumne Meadows broke the 40 year record for February snowfall this week when it exceeded the previous record of 174 inches set in 1998. Despite this fact, it hasn’t broken the record for water content due to the cold, low density snow. We will be setting out tomorrow to perform the monthly snow surveys and anticipate sampling a snowpack that is well above average depth for March 1. This bodes well for California and its recreationalists who like water in its various forms.
Speaking of recreation……it was another banner week for skiing in the Tuolumne Meadows area. The rain put a damper on things initially, but colder temperatures and 35 inches of new snow soon buried the slushy mess left in its wake. That was until the skies cleared and one could see that shiny, rain crust being reflected atop the wind swept ridges. We have found this remnant of the AR in all areas primarily below 10,000 feet. For now it is a supportable and smooth layer which makes for fine skiing where the snow has melded to and buried it. However, in the alpine zone, it presents a hazard when on steeper terrain (trust us, we tried to get an edge and failed!). We will continue to monitor this layer as winter progresses, both from an avalanche hazard standpoint, and as a safety issue for “slide of life” conditions.
As of this writing Highway 120 has not been plowed above the USFS office in Lee Vining Canyon which adds about two miles to an already lengthy approach to Tuolumne Meadows from the east. The Poole Power Plant road is also unmaintained at this time and impassable to vehicular traffic. If one is ambitious enough for this trek, be advised that crampons and/or an ice axe may be warranted on the approach to Tioga Pass for the remainder of the ski season especially where there may be avalanche or wind deposited snow, and/or that rain crust!
Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: Please refer to the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC) for the avalanche advisory for this part of the Sierra Nevada.
The last couple of days of sunshine (not today) has given us the opportunity to get out and look at the effects of the big, wet February on our snowpack. We observed minimal avalanche activity or signs of instability during the week in our travel zone between 8600’ and 10000’ and on most aspects. We did not observe any avalanche activity in the higher alpine reaches either, as we scanned the slopes with binoculars. High winds have scoured much of the alpine terrain and redeposited snow on various aspects as we had winds out of the SW and NE this week. Overall, the avalanche hazard in the Tuolumne area is presently low. Travelers to the alpine terrain above tree line should be attentive to wind slabs forming and subtle differences in aspect and terrain features where newly formed wind slabs may be lurking.
Wildlife: This month has been quite stormy so the wildlife, like us, hasn’t been able to travel as far unless it has wings. And, the four-legged critters’ tracks have been wiped clean by the wind and snow. Consequently, our observations have been somewhat limited. But, we did see a flock of red crossbills for the first time this season while shoveling the roof of the ski hut. Douglas squirrel, long-tailed weasel, and pine marten tracks have also been evident.
General Information: The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is open. There is firewood and 8 bunks that are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There is no phone service in Tuolumne Meadows. We can be contacted regarding winter travel to Tuolumne Meadows via email, but we may be delayed in responding if we are on patrol.
For those visiting the Tuolumne Ski Hut from the east (only) permits are self-issued at the ski hut. For those entering from other areas, please see: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. or you may contact the wilderness office at 209/372-0740. Come prepared, and please make good decisions while travelling in the wilderness! Follow our blog: https://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/tmconditions.htm. Happy skiing! Laura and Rob Pilewski – Tuolumne Winter Rangers (L. Pilewski)
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Yosemite GIS User Group February 26
The next meetup for parkwide GIS users is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26th at 9am in the El Portal Large Breakroom. Any and all park employees interested and/or involved in GIS are invited to attend. Contact Elizabeth Hale at elizabeth_hale@nps.gov or 379-1307 if you have questions.
You can also join the YOSE GIS user group mailing list. Use the request button on center of page: http://sharepoint.yose.nps.gov/reso/gis/SitePages/Home.aspx (E. Hale)
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Horsetail Fall Parking
The Horsetail Fall Event in Yosemite Valley will last from approximately Tuesday Feb 12, 2019 thru Sunday Feb 24, 2019. Public notification of the event will be by variable message boards located on Southside Dr at El Cap Cross, and on Northside Dr at Camp 4. While the event is active, the following restrictions apply:
– Stopping or parking on Southside Dr between El Cap Cross and Swinging Bridge is prohibited.
– All pullouts along Southside Dr between El Cap Cross and Swinging Bridge are closed.
– Roadside parking along Southside Dr between El Cap Cross and Swinging Bridge is prohibited.
– Southside Dr between El Cap Cross and Swinging Bridge is closed to pedestrians.
– The Cathedral Beach Picnic Area is closed.
– The Sentinel Beach Picnic Area is closed.
– Stopping or parking on El Cap Cross is prohibited.
– Roadside parking along El Cap Cross is prohibited.
– The number 2 lane (right, northern lane) of Northside Dr between Camp 4 and El Cap Cross is closed to all vehicles.
– Stopping or parking on Northside Dr between Camp 4 and El Cap Cross is prohibited.
– All pullouts along Northside Dr between Camp 4 and El Cap Cross are closed.
– Roadside parking along Northside Dr between Camp 4 and El Cap Cross is prohibited.
– El Cap Picnic Area is closed to all vehicles except vehicles displaying an ADA placard.
– The speed limit along Northside Dr between Camp 4 to El Cap Cross is 25 MPH unless posted otherwise.
Added restrictions on vehicles and pedestrians along Southside Dr and Northside Dr during the Horsetail Fall Event are necessary to protect the roadside resource and for pedestrian safety. (S. Gediman)
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Badger Road And YSSA Open
As of approximately 0700 on Monday, February 18th, the Badger Road and YSSA are open to the public with R2 chain restrictions. Thanks to the Road crews for their hard work and long hours.
As of Sunday, there was 111 inches of snow on the stake at the A-Frame. According to park records, that is a historical snow depth record for this date! (C. Andrews)
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Yosemite Renaissance 34 Art Exhibit
The Yosemite Renaissance competition and exhibit opens in February at the Yosemite Museum Gallery in the heart of Yosemite Valley, then travels to other art centers across California. Yosemite Renaissance 34 will be on display from February 23 through May 5, 2019.
The official opening and award ceremony will be held from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on Friday, February 22 at the Museum Gallery. The public is cordially invited to attend this event.
The work selected for the exhibit presents creative interpretations of Yosemite and the California Sierra Nevada region, celebrates the environment, and inspires a new generation of people to understand, preserve and protect our parks, wild lands and natural places.
This year, 62 works were chosen by 60 artists from across the nation. The Museum Gallery is open 10am to Noon and 1pm to 4pm daily. (G. Cox)
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