New Snow: none
Settled Snow Depth: 30 inches
High Temperature: 54°F (January 31)
Low Temperature: 14°F (February 3)
January Weather Summary
New Snow: 39 inches (historical average 61 inches)
Snow Water Equivalent: 3.61 inches (historical average 5.05 inches)
Average High Temperature: 44.4°F (historical average 40.2°F)
Average Low Temperature: 14.4°F (historical average 10°F)
Average Temperature: 29.4°F (historical average 25.4°F)
Ski Conditions and Weather
The first days of February feel like most of January…. dry and warm. Appropriately, it has been a bit like the movie Groundhog Day (each day just like the last). The weather summary shows that our plot received about 71% SWE of the historical average. Since all of this snow fell way back in early January, it certainly feels like it would be much less. We are so grateful for the bountiful storms at the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026!
We completed the remaining four snow surveys in our patrol this week, and though below average, the situation is not dire (yet). The Merced and Tuolumne River drainages are around 35% of the April 1 average, and 55% of the February 1 average. The fat rat in Pennsylvania says six more weeks of winter so let’s hope that this scientifically precise method of forecasting the weather comes true.
We found very good ski conditions while on patrol between snow courses this week. The melt freeze cycle has established a mostly supportable snow surface during the daylight hours making for good touring conditions. We managed to find some good “recycled powder” on sheltered north aspects for making turns as well. In the alpine, visitors should expect a variety of hard and textured snow surfaces, so pack the kit accordingly.
Avalanche and Snowpack Conditions
Please refer to the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC) and the Bridgeport Avalanche Center for the avalanche advisories for this part of the park.
The avalanche hazard is presently low across the Tuolumne Meadows area.
Wildlife
Despite the warm temperatures and calm wind, it has been another quiet week. The mammals are probably traveling under the light of the full moon when the snow is frozen and supportable. Both at Tioga Pass and in Tuolumne Meadows, the most vocal of birds have been the mountain chickadees. During the severe late December early January storms, they were probably, at times, “…in a state of torpor, or temporary dormancy” of which only a few other Sierra Nevada species of birds are known to enter (Beedy). But now, they are out and about scolding each other (or the rangers) if they come too close to any of their cached conifer seeds or other tasty larvae or insects. Perhaps, this lack of high-elevation food is one of the reasons we haven’t seen the number of birds we typically see up here during the winter.
References
Beedy and Pandolfino. Birds of the Sierra Nevada, their natural history, status and distribution.The Regents of the University of California, 2013.
Questions
The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is open! And, thanks to the hard work of the Historic Preservation Crew, renovation is complete and it looks so warm and cozy! This primitive cabin is the campground reservation office in the summer and is located along the Tioga Road at the entrance to the campground. It is marked with a sign. There is firewood and 10 bunks that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For those visiting the Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut from the east (only) permits are self-issued at the Ski Hut. For those entering from other areas, please see Yosemite’s website: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildfaq.htm#winter or you may contact the wilderness office at 209/372-0740. Do not rely on electricity or phone service at the ski hut.
Come prepared, and please make good decisions while traveling in the wilderness!
Read through the following three pages before embarking on any day or overnight snow travel within this park:
You may contact us with any additional winter Tuolumne Meadows related questions but response times may vary if we are away on patrol.
Happy ski touring!
Laura and Rob Pilewski - Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers
