Fletcher and Vogelsang Peaks on January 29, 2025.Settled Snow Depth: 36 inches
High temperature: 51°F (January 30)
Low temperature: 8°F (January 30) January Weather Summary
January Weather Summary
New Snow: 10 inches (historical average 61 inches)
Snow Water Equivalent: 0.48 inches (historical average 5.05 inches)
Average High Temperature: 41.9°F (historical average 40.2°F)
Average Low Temperature: 12.5°F (historical average 10°F)
Average Temperature: 27.2°F (historical average 25.4°F)
Dana Meadow snow survey on January 30, 2025.
Ski Conditions and Weather
January was warmer and drier than average. What does February have in store for the Sierra Nevada? So far, it’s been only one storm that mostly fell as rain in Tuolumne Meadows. However, the forecast is for potentially a colder atmospheric river (AR) to bring significant snow to the Sierra Nevada. As of this writing, it has been partly cloudy skies, high winds, and nary a flake. Stay tuned and keep doing those snow dances. It will help at least as much as a groundhog in Pennsylvania who is scared of his shadow can, and it is definitely more fun!
The February snow surveys indicate that the central Sierra Nevada snowpack is 63% of average for this time of year. The average snow depth for the six Tuolumne Meadows area snow surveys was thirty-five inches. Coverage is good above 8,000 feet on all but south and wind scoured aspects. The snow surface, however, is an interesting combination of breakable rain crust below tree line and an impenetrable rain crust in many alpine locations. This makes for some challenging ski conditions. While expelling the core sample from our snow survey tubes following the rain/refreeze event this week, the intact core shot across the shiny rain crust like a hockey puck and the remaining faceted snow scattered sounding (appropriately) like a rain stick.
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 Sierra Nevada.
The avalanche hazard is presently low in the central Sierra Nevada but if these forecasted storms pan out, they will certainly test our snowpack stability. Make real-time observations and decisions and pay attention to temperature changes and terrain that is above you especially along the road corridor which can bring along a bit of complacency.
Wildlife
It was probably the pitter patter of rain that awoke Mariuolumne Marmot (Punxsutawney Phil’s west coast cousin) at 9,600 feet, but once the skies cleared, we’re thinking she saw her shadow given the forecast.
Even prior to this rain event, the river and water ways were starting to melt. Dark-eyed juncos flitted about the partially thawed lake shores of Tenaya Lake. And an occasional Steller’s jay would be seen perching upon the exposed picnic tables both at Tenaya Lake and Tuolumne Meadows. We’ve also been hearing the hairy woodpecker drumming and squeaking from Tuolumne Meadows to Tioga Pass. Let’s hope these next storms bring in some colder weather for the great Sierra Nevada Reservoir.
Questions
The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut is open. 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 8 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. As of this writing, there is NO electricity and NO phone service in Tuolumne Meadows.
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.
Snow Dance!
Laura and Rob Pilewski - Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers
