New snow: 12 inches
Total settled snow depth: 7 inches as of March 4, 2015 (at 8,600 feet)
High temperature: 51°F, February 25
Low temperature: -1°F, March 3
February was the warmest on record for Tuolumne Meadows. Total snowfall here for the month was a paltry 10 inches, and even more alarming is the fact that it has only snowed a total of 56 inches since November.
Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions: For the avalanche advisory for this area of the Sierra Nevada go to www.esavalanche.org for the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center. The avalanche danger in the Tuolumne area and Lee Vining Canyon area on the Tioga Road is low. At the higher elevations, the new snow has bonded well to the old snow surface and the bomber rain crust that is out there from early February is still very supportable. Visitors travelling in the alpine zone should watch for wind slabs on steep slopes on N-E-W aspects.
Wildlife: With this unseasonably warm weather and open water on Tenaya Lake, we witnessed the unusual sight of five California Gulls and three bufflehead! I guess this was a nice alternative to the heat and crowds of the Mono Lake area.
Questions: The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is open! There is an ample supply of firewood and 10 bunks that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is power but no public phone service in Tuolumne Meadows this winter. We can be contacted via email, but we may be delayed in responding if we are on patrol. Contact the wilderness office at 209/372-0740 with any questions or concerns. Come prepared;don't count on electricity or phone service at the ski hut.