Snowing in Mammoth Lakes - Yes Right Now!

[Exsmokey]

We just had a 5-10 minute period with a snow shower of the warmest form of snow called graupel. This occurs when snowflakes bond together at elevations higher in the atmosphere than ground level. By the time these snowflake bonded particles reach the ground they resemble little "puff balls" that are very light and full of air, unlike hail. They are just as white as snowflakes also, not like the appearance of hail. You could say hail resembles crunchy cheese puffs and graupel resembles the original cheese puffs.

I've lived in Mono County two months short of 28 years and have seen it snow in Mammoth and Bridgeport (the two towns I've lived in this country) every month of the year but August. I've seen a foot or more of snow fall down to 9500 feet in August before, but never in town. I can now say I've seen it snow in town every month of the year. For many years I'd been wishing for this. The graupel even stuck for 10-20 seconds on my roof.

As far as the effect this will have on radio traffic, I would expect some search and rescue incidents if it snows and accumulates in the higher country. A foot will catch many people totally unprepared in the backcountry. I was on a hike in the Uinta Mountains about 20 years ago and it snowed 8" overnight in August. I was prepared for it as I always am and waited it out until the afternoon snug in my tent with a down jacket and Gore-Tex when I went outside. Some folks Ive seen in the backcountry here can be 2-3 days from a trail head and don't have extra layers for warmth or a tent strong enough to hold up to 6" or less of snow. That is why we could be looking at a few S&R's.

Update, I've been on the phone for a hour or more and the storm now looks like it is breaking up and hanging over the crest only. Non the less I'm am so happy to have seen it snow in town in August! Whoo Hoo!

[brandon]

That must have been quite exciting. Do you have any photos of this or the snow covered peaks?

Speaking of snow I am leaving for the Wasatch Mountains (in Utah) tomorrow and the snow level is predicted to be around 12,200 ft and dropping to 10,200 ft Friday night. Maybe I'll get to experience some August snow too Not holding my breath but it would be awesome to see!

[Exsmokey]

The prediction from the WX Service in Reno listed a 9,000 snow level. The storm is just hanging over the crest right now so I can't see the elevation the snow stuck at. This also prevents me from taking any pictures of snow capped peaks, but I will keep my eye on it.

The Unita Mountains are located to the northeast of the Wasatch Range. They are the only east-west oriented mountain range in the U.S. Many people think of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mtns. in this way, but they are just a part of what is called the "Transverse Range," which runs north-south from San Francisco to Mexico. Hiking for 10 days in the Unita Mtns. was a great experience, I had to screw my head on in a different way because the major canyons were oriented north-south instead of east-west. The colors of the rock resembled desert mountain ranges but with alpine vegetation around it. A great experience!

[DPD1]

After 100 degrees here yesterday, it's hard to imagine. But it's cooler today, which I assume is all part of the same thing.

[gusbuster1217]

The high desert areas such as convict lake, even Yosemite, so many people make poor plans. Out of ignorance, or not realizing what altitude and a system that is going through can translate into a heap of trouble if not prepared.

4 years ago, above June Lakes hiking the trail near Fern Creek, we got nailed by a wet snow during the month of September. Learned my lesson.