Officials at California’s Yosemite National Park have given an update on snowpack levels following an intense blizzard that forced evacuations.
On March 1, Yosemite’s team measured the Merced River drainage, which was at 72 percent of average snowpack, while the Tuolumne River stood at 83 percent.
“This current storm should push us closer to average, maybe even above,” Yosemite National park said in an update posted to Facebook. “We’ll have to wait and see, but regardless, this year’s story is looking to be a lot different from last year’s April 1 record of 244% for the Tuolumne drainage.”
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National park closed its doors last week after the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a rare blizzard warning for the Sierra Nevada.
Forecasters predicted “very high probabilities” of snowfall exceeding 48 inches for certain portions of the Sierra Nevada. Officials will have to wait for weather conditions to clear before they can measure the amount of snowpack accurately.
The snowpack levels in the Sierra Nevada are essential to California’s overall water supply. Before the recent storms, the snowpack levels had remained below average.
Earlier this month, California saw heavy rainfall caused by another series of atmospheric rivers. However, the increased precipitation didn’t do much for the snow in the surrounding mountains.
It was a different story last year, when the state saw record levels of snowpack after it was battered by intense winter storms and precipitation. This was most welcome for the state’s rivers and reservoirs, which had previously been at very low levels amid prolonged drought conditions. Due to the high levels of snow melt last year, Yosemite’s Merced River flooded, which prompted closures in several areas of the park.
But it seems even with the recent blizzard, levels will not rise to that level again this year.
The national park has been issuing regular updates as the storm raged on about the closure.
Parts of the park have now reopened, according to an update issued on Sunday.
“Yosemite National Park will partially reopen today, Sunday March 3, at noon. Visitors may enter the park via Highway 41/Wawona Road and Highway 140/El Portal Road. Expect snowy conditions throughout the park,” the update on March 3 read. “Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120 from the west), Badger Pass Road and ski area, and Hetch Hetchy Road will reopen on Monday, March 4, at noon, conditions permitting. Tire chains may be required. Please call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) to check road conditions and status. Wawona Campground and Camp 4 (both first-come, first-served) and Upper Pines Campground (reservation required) will reopen at noon. Be prepared for winter camping (bring a shovel!). Hodgdon Meadow Campground will reopen tomorrow at noon, conditions permitting.”
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