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Re: Yes 2019 is now a BIG winter

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 3:54 pm
by SSSdave
OK people, I am going to tell you one of the secrets of the universe. :)

On those satellite images, the less purely white to increasingly darker gray areas (averaged because is a total per image coverage of sensor cell area) are primarily trees protruding out of snow. At highest areas especially ridge lines they are wind exposed rocks. That is why some of the higher valleys like Hutchinson Meadow or Evolution Valley always have some color after wind knocks fresh snow off trees or sun melts it. And conversely, the bright white areas are mostly expanses of snow mostly covering over loose rock and bedrock, rocky sediments, and meadows. However some of those areas have more trees than the image could indicated as they could be snow covered or encrusted with rime especially if recent temps have been cold and little sunshine.

Re: Yes 2019 is now a BIG winter

Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 1:50 am
by rightstar76
Nice warm toasty Memorial Day weekend weather. Perfect for backpacking:

From Hanford NWS:
In terms of winter weather, intermittent snow showers are possible over the Sierra Nevada today and tomorrow, before becoming more widespread late Saturday/Sunday. The disturbance aloft may bring down snow levels to around 6,000 feet by Sunday, and will bring at least a few inches of snow for elevations above 8,000 feet at a few locations. Model progs are being monitored for this system as it may require a winter weather product for Saturday/Sunday in later forecast packages as forecaster confidence for snowfall totals increases with time.
And perfect picnic weather for SoCal:

From San Diego NWS:
If the cold core low moves over SoCal, there could be thunderstorms as well, mainly Sunday afternoon and evening. Lower elevations could receive 1/4 to 1/2 inch of rain. Strong winds are likely in the mountains and deserts as well. Snow levels will likely start out high, above 7000 feet, but could fall to 6000 feet Sunday night, with some accumulating snow possible.
Meanwhile:
The duration of the heat wave could make it "life-threatening," Weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman said.
Forget the 'Polar Vortex.' Here comes the 'Death Ridge' and record heat for the Southeast
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nat ... 208562001/

Re: Yes 2019 is now a BIG winter

Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 9:36 am
by Feraleyes
Squaw Valley has recorded 32” in the last 7 days. More on the way.

Re: Yes 2019 is now a BIG winter

Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 10:35 am
by c9h13no3
Feraleyes wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 9:36 am Squaw Valley has recorded 32” in the last 7 days. More on the way.
Snow looks wet & crappy though this weekend. This past Wednesday/Thursday was the time to hit it.

I'm hoping Sonora Pass opens or Tioga road opens up to Ellery Lake soon, so we can get up out of the low elevation slush.

Re: Yes 2019 is now a BIG winter

Posted: Sat May 25, 2019 6:06 am
by rightstar76
Getting more interesting:
Memorial Day weekend may mark the unofficial in kickoff of summer, but at Mammoth, it will continue to feel like a winter wonderful. More fresh powder is expected in the coming days, as the resort anticipates snow each day of the long holiday weekend, including 6 to 12 inches on Sunday, according to Mammoth's website.
Mammoth Mountain to Stay Open Into August After Recording Its Snowiest May Ever
https://ktla.com/2019/05/24/mammoth-mou ... the-month/

Temperatures from this Memorial Day holiday weekend will enter record books in many communities. "Most high temperature records across the region stand in the 90s, so many cities are expected to consistently challenge records during the heat wave," Vido stated. "Many records date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s," Duff added.
Unrelenting heat wave to raise risk for brush fires in Southeast into, beyond Memorial Day
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather- ... y/70008360

Re: Yes 2019 is now a BIG winter

Posted: Fri May 31, 2019 2:29 pm
by franklin411
The snowpack just edged over 200% of normal (202%) as of yesterday, May 30.

https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/ ... 907505.php

Re: Yes 2019 is now a BIG winter

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 7:41 am
by rightstar76
It's not over until it's over. I was reading the morning forecast discussions. NWS Reno said it might snow next weekend. NWS Sacramento and Hanford are also discussing the possibility of more cold weather starting on Thursday. This is after it's supposed to warm up the first half of next week. Completely bizarre.

Re: Yes 2019 is now a BIG winter

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 8:54 am
by SSSdave
Finally got another EOSDIS WV image in with a few areas without too many clouds. Kibbie is now definitely all melted out and Kibbie Ridge looks like one will most definitely melt off enough to do what I did mid June 2017 by third week of month reaching the spectacular glaciate granite canyon below Lord Meadow.

http://www.davidsenesac.com/2017_Trip_C ... 17-12.html

Re: Yes 2019 is now a BIG winter

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2019 8:51 pm
by kpeter
SSSdave wrote: Sat Jun 01, 2019 8:54 am Finally got another EOSDIS WV image in with a few areas without too many clouds. Kibbie is now definitely all melted out and Kibbie Ridge looks like one will most definitely melt off enough to do what I did mid June 2017 by third week of month reaching the spectacular glaciate granite canyon below Lord Meadow.

http://www.davidsenesac.com/2017_Trip_C ... 17-12.html
I've been staring at that EOSDIS image and the USDA snow coverage maps and trying to figure out if my Hetch Hetchy to Verson trip is doable on Thursday June 6. Also watching the FHH Falls creek gauge at Hetch Hetchy and it has doubled in the last 3 days from 298 to 667, so things are melting fast.

Re: Yes 2019 is now a BIG winter

Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2019 7:10 pm
by rightstar76
With all the thunderstorms up there I think the snow may melt sooner than I thought. Also, NWS office forecast discussions have changed their late week storm prediction to a cool down instead of rain/snow. Although the forecasts keep changing, I am hopeful that the hiking season will begin in just a few weeks. :)