Wonder if anyone is camping in the Sierras this weekend. Here's an excerpt from the Reno weather service forecast discussion:
THE UPPER JET NOSES INTO THE SIERRA AROUND THIS TIME BRINGING UNBELIEVABLY STRONG WINDS. EXPECTING TO SEE SUSTAINED
WINDS OVER THE SIERRA RIDGES AROUND 100 MPH WITH GUSTS SOMEWHERE
AROUND 150 MPH. EVEN LOWER ELEVATIONS WILL SEE GUSTS OF 60 TO 80 MPH.
THE HEAVIEST PORTION OF THE STORM MOVES INTO THE SIERRA MIDDAY
FRIDAY BRINGING SNOW LEVELS DOWN AND PHENOMENAL SNOWFALL RATES.
MODEL QPF CONTINUES TO INCREASE ONLY FURTHER INCREASING CONFIDENCE
IN THIS PORTION OF THE STORM. EXPECTING AROUND 6 INCHES OF SNOW PER
HOUR WITH THE POSSIBILITY FOR 8 INCHES PER HOUR DURING THIS PORTION
OF THE STORM. THIS COMBINED WITH THE UNUSUALLY STRONG WINDS WILL
CREATE VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN THE SIERRA.
They basically warn anyone that travelling in the Sierras tomorrow will be suicidal. The Utah and CO mtns should see the brunt of all this sat night-monday, when im sure the San Juans will pick up another several feet of snow. But, 8 inches of snow per hour and 150 mph wind gusts would make quite a photo!
Posted by Les Barstow on January 3, 2008 at 7:47 PM
8" of snow per hour is frightening! I think the appropriate words are: RUN AWAY!!!!
Posted by John Klotz on January 3, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Stan, any of that going to hit the front range in those proportions?
John
John, no, the big snows should be confined to the Continental Divide with this storm. But it looks like a stormy pattern for a while, so maybe #2 or #3 will get us!
Posted by John Klotz on January 3, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Cool!
JK
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 3, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Stan,
Thanks for this information! I can only imagine the photographic opportunites there. One of my favorite places to ski when growing up was Mammoth Mtn. and I can remember some pretty serious dumps. But not at this rate.
Yosemite after a big snow is also hard to beat photograhically. Ansel Adams would be dancing in his boots.
Amazing Stan!!! I would love to experience something like this. That is incredible!
Posted by Guy Schmickle on January 3, 2008 at 9:54 PM
That sounds absolutely insane for the Sierras. I'd love to be there AFTER it blows over! Several more feet for the San Juans, huh? What a winter this has been!
Posted by John Klotz on January 3, 2008 at 9:57 PM
You should have seen it last year. Or in October of '97.
JK
Posted by Stan Rose on January 3, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Ive been here 3 winters now and the most ive gotten is a measley 5 inches! It's pathetic. I got more snow living in Seattle. Hopefully one of these storms will break the snow drought here in brown Pueblo!
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 4, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Stan,
Don't get me going on the PNW. What is that mountain that has snow on it even during wildflower season? Mt. Baker I think.
But I still vote for Yosemite as my personal favorite after a 'heavy' dumping.
Yep, when i moved to Seattle in 2000 (99 was the big record at Baker) there were still 20 foot drifts and lots of boarders up on Baker. I had to do all my 'Summer' hiking in the snow!
Thanks for that link--such a mediocre image...yeah right.
Posted by Todd Caudle on January 4, 2008 at 1:58 AM
I've been watching this storm on radar, but you sure can't see rain, snow and 150mph winds that way! This is an impressive display of nature's capabilities. Very exciting.
As for Marc's "mediocre" photo (NOT!), one nice thing about Marc is that he's so far beyond what 99.9% of us are doing, it gives us something to aspire to.
Posted by John Klotz on January 4, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Amazing Stan!!! I would love to experience something like this. That is incredible!
No doubt, you'd do it with a smile on your face, too, my Arctic-loving friend. Too bad the blurry snow pics don't sell worth a hoot in the gallery.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 4, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Ok,
Apparently there are more than a few arctic lovers. I just checked Mammoth Mtn. weather conditions and it is classified as Blizzard. Then I looked at the web cam and there are people skiing right now! And there are children in ski school.
Take a look here: http://www.mammothmountain.com/cams/index.cfm?cam=main
Those are some dedicated kids.
funny, i was just checking Mammoths cam, amazing theyre still open with 100+ mph winds at summit! Most of the other CA resorts are now closed. Kirkwood's cam was pretty amusing too--now it looks down. Theyve already got two feet there and may get 10+ before its done! Fun starts in CO tomorrow morn.
Posted by John Klotz on January 5, 2008 at 12:21 AM
I saw a report on MSN projecting 10 feet in the High Sierras before it is through. Can't even imagine that.
JK
Discussion
17 repliesTHE UPPER JET NOSES INTO THE SIERRA AROUND THIS TIME BRINGING UNBELIEVABLY STRONG WINDS. EXPECTING TO SEE SUSTAINED
WINDS OVER THE SIERRA RIDGES AROUND 100 MPH WITH GUSTS SOMEWHERE
AROUND 150 MPH. EVEN LOWER ELEVATIONS WILL SEE GUSTS OF 60 TO 80 MPH.
THE HEAVIEST PORTION OF THE STORM MOVES INTO THE SIERRA MIDDAY
FRIDAY BRINGING SNOW LEVELS DOWN AND PHENOMENAL SNOWFALL RATES.
MODEL QPF CONTINUES TO INCREASE ONLY FURTHER INCREASING CONFIDENCE
IN THIS PORTION OF THE STORM. EXPECTING AROUND 6 INCHES OF SNOW PER
HOUR WITH THE POSSIBILITY FOR 8 INCHES PER HOUR DURING THIS PORTION
OF THE STORM. THIS COMBINED WITH THE UNUSUALLY STRONG WINDS WILL
CREATE VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN THE SIERRA.
They basically warn anyone that travelling in the Sierras tomorrow will be suicidal. The Utah and CO mtns should see the brunt of all this sat night-monday, when im sure the San Juans will pick up another several feet of snow. But, 8 inches of snow per hour and 150 mph wind gusts would make quite a photo!
John
JK
Thanks for this information! I can only imagine the photographic opportunites there. One of my favorite places to ski when growing up was Mammoth Mtn. and I can remember some pretty serious dumps. But not at this rate.
Yosemite after a big snow is also hard to beat photograhically. Ansel Adams would be dancing in his boots.
- Derek
JK
Don't get me going on the PNW. What is that mountain that has snow on it even during wildflower season? Mt. Baker I think.
But I still vote for Yosemite as my personal favorite after a 'heavy' dumping.
BTW did you see Marc A. latest 'mediocre' shoot from Winter in Rainier:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=25093&b=vf15&st=0&la=3156&ph=9&sid=7558&u=7558
If only my shots were that mediocre.LOL... Great job Marc BTW if your listening.
Thanks for that link--such a mediocre image...yeah right.
As for Marc's "mediocre" photo (NOT!), one nice thing about Marc is that he's so far beyond what 99.9% of us are doing, it gives us something to aspire to.
jk
No doubt, you'd do it with a smile on your face, too, my Arctic-loving friend. Too bad the blurry snow pics don't sell worth a hoot in the gallery.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Apparently there are more than a few arctic lovers. I just checked Mammoth Mtn. weather conditions and it is classified as Blizzard. Then I looked at the web cam and there are people skiing right now! And there are children in ski school.
Take a look here:
http://www.mammothmountain.com/cams/index.cfm?cam=main
Those are some dedicated kids.
JK