Yosemite Forum

Just thought that I would point out the park is closed for the next few days due to storm damage from a major wind event...

And given that two bigger and snowier storms are on the way, it may be longer than a few days, IMHO.

And still clsoed...now until at least January 30. Here's the weather report for the Sierra...some predictions are up to 8-10 FEET of snow

This Afternoon
Partly sunny, with a high near 13. Wind chill values as low as -5. South southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Tonight
Snow, mainly after 9pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 16 by 4am. Wind chill values as low as -6. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 14 to 20 inches possible.

Wednesday
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 18. Wind chill values as low as -4. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 36 to 42 inches possible.

Wednesday Night
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 17. Wind chill values as low as -1. Breezy, with a south wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 25 to 31 inches possible.

Thursday
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 19. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 17 to 23 inches possible.

Thursday Night
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 13. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 16 inches possible.

Friday
Snow. High near 17. West southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Go snow!

Yes indeed. But be careful out there!

AVALANCHE ADVISORY PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 28, 2021 @ 6:48THIS ADVISORY IS VALID FOR 24 HOURS
Issued by Chris Engelhardt - Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center

EXTREME AVALANCHE DANGER exists today as a powerful winter storm impacts the Eastern Sierra. Heavy accumulations of new snow and loading southerly winds will build Slabs on All Aspects. Avoid all Avalanche terrain as natural and human triggered avalanches are certain.

6. Extreme [danger]
Above Treeline

6. Extreme
Near Treeline

6. Extreme
Below Treeline

AVALANCHE PROBLEM #1: WIND SLAB

ASPECT/ELEVATION [The Center provides an image of all aspects and elevations, and the risk was high on pretty much all aspects except South-South-west]

LIKELIHOOD-- Certain

SIZE-- Historic, Large
Strong to moderate southerly winds optimal for loading combined with massive amounts of new snowfall (4-6ft+) will be building reactive and deep wind slabs on virtually all aspects and elevations. W-N-E-SE will be aspects of primary concern with guaranteed wind slab development adjacent to ridgeline and terrain features conducive to capturing wind transported snow such as cliff bands, convex rollovers and gullies. Avalanches of all sizes and scope are nearly certain today. Large to very large avalanches have the potential to run into lower terrain where you may normally think you are safe. Avoid all avalanche terrain!
AVALANCHE PROBLEM #2: STORM SLAB

ASPECT/ELEVATION -- [All aspects]

LIKELIHOOD-- Certain

SIZE-- Historic, Large
Incredible amounts of new snow (4-6ft and likely more in some areas) fell Wednesday; snowfall was unrelenting through last night and will continue today. Fresh, sensitive, and unstable storm slabs on All Aspects at All Elevations are guaranteed to be present. In the midst of a storm of this magnitude avalanche conditions will be extremely dangerous as new snow will be looking to adjust its balance in relation to gravity and slope. This means avalanches in all forms, from soft sensitive slabs on virtually any slope with a bit of steepness, to loose dry point releases in very steep terrain.
AVALANCHE PROBLEM #3: PERSISTENT SLAB

ASPECT/ELEVATION -- [Northwest to Southeast]

LIKELIHOOD-- Certain (Now downgraded to "Very Likely."winking smiley

SIZE-- Historic , Large
This hefty storm is rapidly loading the shallow and loose-grained snowpack from November and December with a significant amount of weight. W-SE aspects all harbor weak structure from our prolonged drought through the first half of the winter. The rapid loading and large amount of weight in the new snow will likely cause collapse and failure in these old weaker layers. Avalanches originating from fresh unstable wind/storm slab and loose dry will add to the pressure on these weak persistent layers and could cause avalanches to “step down” into the older snowpack causing much bigger and destructive avalanches.

Yosemite is now open--reservations required for day use in the Valley and the Glacier Point snow area. Tioga Road is still closed through the winter. Two loops of North Pines campground in the Valley are open via reservations...

Got my reservations(s) for tomorrow Feb 10 and Feb 24 to see the Firefall waterfall. Looks like it is running, so looking forward to awesome pics

Excellent! Good to know the system is working!

Well the last trip on Wednesday was an almost total bust. Heavy cloud cover came in. I gave up and slowly drove out. I came across 6 cars parked and as I was going by they were all scrambling out of their cars with phones and cameras. I looked left and could see a tiny sliver of red on the fall. There was absolutely no place to park without actually parking on the road. Actually that would have been pretty safe as there was NO ONE in the park. I had lunch across from Yosemite Falls by the church and I was the only one parked in the lane. Hiked to Yosemite Falls and maybe saw 10 people.
So my permit is good to Wednesday and that is looking very good.