Tuolumne Meadows Conditions Update, March 31, 2010
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TUOLUMNE
MEADOWS
WINTER CONDITIONS UPDATE
March 31, 2010
Weather: (March 24 through March 31)
High temp: 53° (March 27)
Low temp: 7 (March 27)
New Snow: 9”
Total settled snow depth: 51” as of March 31
Ski Conditions and Weather: We woke up this morning to 9 inches of new snow and it is still snowing heavily as I write this. We have also seen some high wind gusts with this storm, creating blizzard conditions at times. Spring had definitely made its appearance this month, however it seemed short lived. During this nice weather the ski hut was overflowing its capacity with visitors. Things are now pretty quiet with the change in weather. This storm is predicted to continue into tomorrow with unsettled weather continuing. Another storm is predicted to hit us by Sunday. There is a very firm base underneath all this new snow, so when the sun does emerge, it should set up for some fine spring skiing. The Tuolumne River is opening up in spots, but this cold weather will likely halt the runoff. Caltrans has started to plow Highway 120 from the east side (Lee Vining), so be prepared to walk the first several miles beyond the gate. Skiers from Yosemite Valley have reported snowline to be at the top of the Snow Creek switchbacks.
For the month of March we received 37 inches of snow with a water equivalent of 2.65 inches.
Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: For the latest avalanche advisory for this area go to www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and click on advisory. The ESAC site is updated several times a week and more often during weather events.
Wildlife:
You know spring is here when the bears emerge from their long winter nap. We saw our first bear tracks on March 28 crossing the road east of Ranger Camp. We saw more tracks on Rafferty Bench on March 29.
We saw our first Beldings Ground Squirrel pop its head out of its hole in Tuolumne Meadows on March 27.
We saw the first Painted Lady butterflies of the year on March 24, battling a strong headwind near Tenaya Lake.
We saw our usual Coyote, Pine Marten, Weasel, Chickaree, White-tailed Jack Rabbit, and many tiny rodent tracks.
Birds heard and seen this week include Cassin’s Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-tailed Hawk, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Clark’s Nutcracker, Common Raven, Northern Flicker, and Red Crossbills.
REMINDER: BEAR RESISTANT CONTAINERS ARE REQUIRED FOR OVERNIGHT TRAVEL IN THE BACKCOUNTRY .
Questions: We have no land line telephones or cell tower operating and the power is still out. Sorry for the inconvenience. (Jeff and Kathi, the Tuolumne winter rangers).
