0430 temp. at 6350′ in Carnelian Bay: 31.8 deg & 91% RH

0520 temp. at 8650′ Tamarack TH: 26 deg.

Recent backcountry obs.: Tamarack Peak / June Lake

Spring is here. While the weather continues to be dynamic, the snowpack in the backcountry has settled into the predictable rhythm of melt/freeze with some days not freezing at all.

Recent obs. from the Tamarack zone on 4/22 and 4/25 showed a marginal to solid refreezes on 4/22 and 4/25 respectively, likely softening by mid morning. The area is heavily tracked out and sun cups are beginning to pock the surface of the most sun-exposed and open areas.

This past weekend on 4/20, conditions in the June Lake area were similar with lower elevations marginally refreezing at night, whereas the alpine received more solid refreezes on supportable transitional snow. Descending from around 11,000′ at 9am, upper elevation turns were still firm and fast, while below 9000′ snow had already turned to heavy mank and non-supportable crusts: combat skiing.

Across Tahoe and the Eastern Sierra, temps have not yet fallen into a prolonged period of clear cold nights and warm sunny days that create widespread, quality corn snow. Melt/freeze cycles have happened, but they’ve been short lived and followed by warm periods without refreezes, that have initiated widespread wet avalanche cycles. On the opposite end, this season has also seen a few strings of melt/freeze weather followed by weak winter-like storms that brought a return of snow and unsettled weather with cold temps. It’s been a mixed bag of ying and yang, not quite hitting the ideal middle ground that produces the best spring skiing.

Spring weather thoughts:

Over the past few weeks, a noticeable shift in the storm track and temps has really signaled the seasonal change and arrival of spring. Big, snow producing storms are all but over. Storms from here out tend to not have the same punch and dynamics as the winter jet stream weakens and lifts northward. Systems that do arrive will bring lighter amounts of rain and snow, often in showery and convective form. Periods of colder temps, breezy conditions, and afternoon showers and storms may pass through the region from time to time before eventually fading out into the dry, placid warmth of summer.

With the seasonal weather shift, the desire to be on the snow has begun its rapid wane. Daydreams of running fragrant trails lined with wildflowers and climbing high alpine granite in the summer sun have replaced the urge to venture out in the predawn cold to devour fluffy powder laps. It’s been a great season monitoring the snow and weather and I look forward to starting this back up in the fall. Until then, enjoy the sun and warmth.