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Re: 2021 likely a below average snow year
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 6:56 pm
by oleander
Curious, where does the CDEC locate the boundary between the "Northern" and the "Central" Sierra? The "Central" and the "Southern" Sierra?
Dramatic difference between the Central & Southern thus far this winter.
Wandering Daisy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 16, 2021 1:16 pm
CDEC data today, snow water equivalent;
Northern Sierra 54%
Central Sierra 59%
Southern Sierra 40%
State-wide 69%
Much more snow in northern coast ranges brings up the statewide number.
Re: 2021 likely a below average snow year
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 8:55 pm
by Wandering Daisy
Re: 2021 likely a below average snow year
Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 2:22 pm
by maverick
NWS:
Snow water equivalent is a measurement of how much liquid is contained in a snowpack. We use these measurements to estimate spring runoff into area lakes and river systems.
As of today, SWE is generally running 70-90% of average around the Tahoe Basin (higher elevation sites are closer to 100%), but only 55-70% for Mono County. While most sites are running below average, there's still time to catch up to the seasonal averages. This does highlight the importance of the last Atmospheric River event where Mono County receive so much snow.
Image 1 shows Snow Water Equivalent values in inches at area SNOTEL sites. Image 2 shows the percent of average through today's date for the same locations.
Re: 2021 likely a below average snow year
Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 9:44 am
by rlown
Still 51" at the Tioga entry station. Quite respectable.
Re: 2021 likely a below average snow year
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2021 11:45 am
by mkbgdns
big gradient from San Joaquin (60%) to Kaweah (40%). go south, young person.
Re: 2021 likely a below average snow year
Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:31 pm
by c9h13no3
mkbgdns wrote: ↑Wed Mar 03, 2021 11:45 am
big gradient from San Joaquin (60%) to Kaweah (40%). go south, young person.
Or north, if you're planning ski trips :-D.
The Southern Sierra is always tough to keep snow on. Mt Whitney has no glaciers for a reason, despite being so tall (behind the GWD, far south, arid climate).
Re: 2021 likely a below average snow year
Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:57 am
by c9h13no3
Cottonwood Lake #4 looks to already be thawing on the satellite image taken 3-Apr. April was projected to be wet, but NOAA has backed off that prediction. I'd bet the Southern Sierra would be accessible mid-May. Snow will still hang around on north faces high on the crest for a long time, so big passes will still require snow gear.
SoSierra.png
Re: 2021 likely a below average snow year
Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 6:56 pm
by SSSdave
WV_4-1-21-Sierra.jpg
Given satellite image updates, just might have a late spring one night trip if I can justify the long drive with other explorations on the East Side to hike up the notorious Symmes Creek trail just to the Shepherd notch at 2800 meters where in 2019 I managed a very nice pre-sun rise landscape of Williamson and areas north. Potential for superb atmospheric light given desert clear air days. There may well be snow patches still that can provide water. Best set up to do at short notice just after a late May spring storm to add some fresh decoration on the big peaks.
Re: 2021 likely a below average snow year
Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:47 pm
by dave54
https://gacc.nifc.gov/oncc/predictive/o ... k_NOps.pdf
In a nutshell, normal fire danger in Northern California until July. Then fire potential will increase to above normal.
Re: 2021 likely a below average snow year
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:52 am
by oleander
Current drought map of the Western states:
https://twitter.com/NWSBayArea/status/1 ... 83/photo/1
The Twitter version above is useful because it's zoomed in. If you are unable to view Twitter, you can find the source mapping at:
droughtmonitor.unl.edu