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[pct-l] May 1st snow survey results from Yosemite snowpack



Just got this today from the Yosemite Wildernes Manager:

Most of the results for the May 1 snow survey are in, and the unsettled weather last month prevented much melt, particularly at the higher elevations. Some of the courses were only losing 1" per week. The pack is now 179% of average for May 1st in the Tuolumne drainage, and 187% of average for the Merced drainage. This is about half way between the average and the record amounts in 1983. Some examples of the current snow depth include Dana Meadows (elev 9,800') 91" of snow, Grace Meadow (8,900') 136" of snow, Tuolumne Meadows (8,600') 67" of snow, Snow Flat (8,700') 125" of snow, and Peregoy, near Bridalveil Campground at 7,000' with 99" of snow. Densities are averaging about 49% water.

The long range forecast also calls for continued unsettled weather for the next 10-14 days, which can either inhibit the melt due to the cloud cover (much of the melt comes from solar radiation as well as temperature this time of year), or, if it rains, we may see some very high water, to say the least. The snowpack generally loses about an inch a day this time of year, which increases to up to 2"/day when longer days and higher temps occur in summer.
 


GoSlowGoFar

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