Conditions Report
This post was written by Rob and Laura Pilewski – Tuolumne Meadows Winter Rangers
- New snow: 2 inches
- Total settled snow depth: 23 inches (at 8,600 feet)
- High temperature: 56°F (April 11)
- Low temperature: 15°F (April 15)
Winter 2021 Weather Summary (November 1, 2020-April 15, 2021)
- Total Snow: 213 inches
- Snow Water Equivalent: 13.24 inches
- Average Temperature: 30.64°F
Ski Conditions and Weather
April 16, 2021 – By Laura and Rob Pilewski – This is our final post of the winter of 2021. It has again been our honor to serve as the Tuolumne Meadows Winter Rangers. We appreciate the public interest and enthusiasm for happenings in this part of the park during the winter through our weekly blogs. Although it has been another dry winter in the range of light, each winter has been different in its own right, presenting its own challenges and rewards.
This week saw the continued and accelerated snowmelt in the Sierra. Well-above-average temperatures have been the rule this month. The last few days saw a system come through that cooled things down and brought a few inches of new snow.
Tioga Road is mostly snow-covered through Yosemite National Park from Tioga Pass to Crane Flat. Bare patches are growing with each passing day. Crews will be starting to clear snow in the park. On the east side, Caltrans has cleared most of the snow from Highway 120 between the locked gate outside of Lee Vining and Tioga Pass. At present, it is dry pavement with a few icy patches early and late in the day.
Ski conditions are still decent, though options are becoming more limited due to decreasing snow cover. Terrain and aspects above 9,000 feet are hit or miss for corn snow. One would think that the warm and dry weather we are having would see a stellar corn cycle. The windy winter, and low snow density of what fell from the sky this winter, however, have kept it pretty marginal so far this spring.
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 avalanche hazard is low in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Only significant new snow would change this. An ice-ax and crampons are good to have in the kit this time of year. Hard snow and icy conditions should be anticipated until the warmth of the day softens the snow surface.
Wildlife
Most of the spring migrant birds have returned and are singing their mating songs. The coyotes are howling in the meadows during the morning hours. And, bear tracks have been seen north of Tuolumne Meadows. Bear canisters are required for food storage.
General Information
The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is closed for the 2020-2021 season.
– Rob and Laura Pilewski – Tuolumne Meadows Winter Rangers
