High temperature: 58°F (March 8)
Low temperature: 18°F (March 6)
Ski Conditions and Weather
It was a warm and dry week here in the central Sierra Nevada. It appears that the spring runoff has begun, about a full month or so earlier than most years. The rivers are opening up and becoming louder, and the snowpack is approaching its isothermal stage. For now, snow coverage is good on all but southerly aspects.Ski conditions are excellent for ski touring. The melt-freeze cycle has turned the snow surface into a supportable and easy gliding affair. As for making turns, there is some corn snow to be had on select elevations and aspects. There were 2 days of cold temperatures and high winds that still have higher elevations mostly locked up on all but south aspects. The big February storm, that was quickly followed by light rain and warm temperatures, has caused a runneling of the snow surface in many locations. These runnels that run vertically down the slope (see photo) have made skiing a bit more challenging.
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.
Time of day and thawing play the biggest role in the avalanche hazard this time of year. As the angle of the sun increases the solar effect on the snow surface, this then increases and causes instability during certain windows of the day. The smooth granite surfaces of Yosemite make for prime sliding surfaces for glide avalanches. Cornices can become weaker and fail with or without a trigger. Wilderness travelers should be mindful of these potential changes in snow stability and plan routes and travel times accordingly.
Wildlife
We heard the Cassin's finch in Tuolumne Meadows for the first time this year. It's hard to know what may come, what May... or even April for that matter. But some of these feathered friends are hard-wired genetically to migrate at specific times. Photoperiod (length of day or sunlight) also signal that it's time to move. Unlike us though, birds don't have to reset their clocks and type up their weekly posts in the dark! This seasonal change of light affects us all. But specifically in birds, it triggers hormone shifts that allow them to gain fat for the energy they need for flying long distances. Like most human and animal species, birds will migrate if there is declining food availability or even social pressure. Temperature also acts as a trigger. And with the upcoming forecast, I think many creatures will be feeling the Zugunruhe (German for migration anxiety or restlessness). With two more monthly snow surveys to go, this is too early for the winter rangers to be feeling this way!
References
Bartels, Meghan. (2023, April 20). How Do Birds Know When to Migrate? Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-birds-know-when-to-migrate/
Wheeler-Dubas, Maria. (2019, October 10). #bioPGH: Zugunruhe! Phipps.https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/blog/detail/biopgh-zugunruhe#:~:text=That%20means%20that%20around%20this%20time%2C%20birds,period%E2%80%9D%20experienced%20by%20migratory%20animals%2C%20particularly%20birds.
Zugunruhe. (2025, November 10). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zugunruhe&oldid=1321429164
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 four 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