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big May storms forecast
Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 8:53 am
by SSSdave
Latest weather forecasts for California this Monday morning show potential for an unusually wet next 10 days across the state including the Sierra. Here in San Jose our annual average rainfall is 15 inches with 1.0 inches in April, 0.6 in May and 0.3 in June. Some models now forecasting an inch by Friday and 2.5 inches by next Tuesday. Storms will be from a mid ocean zonal flow thus above maybe 6.5k snow levels that will melt remaining snow below that while adding to the snow pack above, especially above 9k. Rivers, streams may rise high and valley areas could flood.
Definitely a period to avoid higher areas for you that seem to delight getting out atop old melting winter snows at this early period of spring.
Re: big May storms forecast
Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 12:01 pm
by Wandering Daisy
Murphey's Law of early season 3-day weekends-more often than not has lousy weather for camping and hiking in the High Sierra on Memorial Day.
I remember several rained-out trips. Once just as we got over to Lee Vining, Tioga Pass was closed so we spent two days in Owens River Gorge until the pass re-opened. And yes, look out for high water!
Re: big May storms forecast
Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 1:07 pm
by TahoeJeff
Wandering Daisy wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2019 12:01 pm
lousy weather for camping and hiking in the High Sierra on Memorial Day
There is a long standing joke here in So Lake Tahoe that it always snows on the tourists on Memorial Day...
Re: big May storms forecast
Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 1:17 pm
by c9h13no3
If they'd ever get the road open to Ellery Lake, could make for some sweet late season skiing
Here's a pic of Parcher's Resort I stole from
their Facebook page. They got a lot of snow recently.
60190866_10156438417643137_5930149886338007040_n.jpg
Re: big May storms forecast
Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 2:33 pm
by SSSdave
If I wasn't injured stuck home, this would be an excellent opportunity to do some late season fresh snow photography from trails out of Yosemite Valley or with more driving Owens Valley trailheads. Will be a boon for Mammoth powder skiers.
Now into my eighth decade, health the last 6 months has been a seesaw. But no colds or diseases, rather old folks issues. Right foot had plantar fascitis for first time ever, then at the peak of ski season when my mogul skiing was getting amazing, acute diverticulitis, and then last week after tons of hiking during 3 week long road trips chasing desert wildflower blooms, injured at home no less my left wrist opening a gallon plastic juice bottle cap. So am typing with one hand while my left wrist is wrapped in a cold pack and 600mg Ibuprofen went down with my lunch. Had an X-ray today showing no broke bones so soft tissue injury.
Re: big May storms forecast
Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 3:28 pm
by richlong8
I know what you mean, Dave. I had that plantar fascitis for the first 2 years ago, and fortunately, I recovered in a few months, and it has not reoccurred. I live with chronic annoying lower back issues, and then, here recently, I began to wake up with sore shoulders in the morning. MRI shows a light tear in the rotator cuff, how did it happen? No idea, but I can still dayhike, and hopefully, I will avoid surgery, with physical therapy, and performing as little computer tasks as possible. I will be 64 next month. Some days, I feel every bit of that and more, others, I feel younger. I will just continue to do as much as I can, as long as I can, and throttle down as my body tells me to.
Re: big May storms forecast
Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 4:22 pm
by ChapATL
Do you think it would be worth bringing snowshoes to SEKI this weekend?
Re: big May storms forecast
Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 5:14 pm
by c9h13no3
ChapATL wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2019 4:22 pm
Do you think it would be worth bringing snowshoes to SEKI this weekend?
Really broad question, but if your objectives are above 7000 feet in elevation, then yes.
Re: big May storms forecast
Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 5:52 pm
by rightstar76
I think we're looking at some serious snow melt the next couple of weeks.
Re: big May storms forecast
Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 10:27 pm
by Harlen
rightstar (who's usually right) says:
I think we're looking at some serious snow melt the next couple of weeks.
Damn, Damn, Damn! I guess we ski travelers can reorient ourselves toward ever higher basins, to be explored in a couple of weeks. The High Route in early June? The upper Kern?
carl book 119.JPG
The Upper Kern doesn't look too bad!
carl book 110.JPG