Following a wet October and a dry November, there were only 3 days in December with a trace of precipitation in Lee Vining. Going into January, the season was at only 33% of average when measured at the NOAA rain gauge at the Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore. 1989, 1990, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 were all years with similar or drier autumns, adding up to almost 1/3 of the 24 years on record at our weather station. But it was the first half of January that threw this season into the remarkable category.

On January 17, 2012, Tioga Pass finally closed for the winter as storm clouds gathered on the horizon. The only other time in history—going back to 1933—when it closed in January was when it closed on New Year’s Day 2000.

On January 21st, 2012 (more…)

The dry spell has been broken here in the Mono Basin. On Saturday morning I awoke to a winter wonderland—snow covered the streets and the Mono Lake Committee’s back porch. A Pacific storm hit the Sierra Nevada this weekend and brought with it high winds, rain, snow, and highway closures.

A capture from the Lee Vining web cam shows today's snowy town.

As of this afternoon Tioga Pass is closed (and has been since Tuesday evening). Highways 108, 4, and 89 are all closed. Highways 88, (more…)

After several weeks of unseasonably dry weather here in the Mono Basin, the weather forecast shows a change coming at the end of this week. High chances of snow and rain are predicted starting Wednesday night through the weekend. What does this mean for road conditions? As of today at 5:00pm the Yosemite National Park website says that Tioga Pass (Highway 120) through the park will be closing tonight at 7:00pm. It is unclear how long the road will be closed  if it closes tonight; it is usually weather-dependent. (more…)

Happy holidays from everyone at the Mono Lake Committee!

The Information Center & Bookstore will be closed Christmas day, December 25, 2011 as well as New Year’s day, January 1, 2012.

For Mono Lake weather information, click here. Click here for road closures and conditions.

It has been a cold, dry fall and winter so far in the Sierra Nevada, which means that Tioga Pass (Highway 120) has opened again! When snow has been forecasted the pass closes, but those snowstorms have dropped less than a dusting each time. This is good news for travelers and intrepid winter hikers wishing to reach the high country.

The lack of snow is not such good news for Mono Lake—after last winter’s impressive snowfall the lake rose two feet over the summer. We need it to keep rising, so take a minute and do your snow dances this holiday season!

A Varied Thrush spotted in Lee Vining in December 2009. Photo by Justin Hite.

As the holiday season approaches it’s nearly time for a wonderful winter tradition—Audubon Christmas Bird Counts. Join in on one of these local counts:

• Mono Basin—Tuesday, December 27. Contact: Kristie Nelson
• Yosemite National Park—Sunday, December 18. Contact: Sarah Stock
• Bishop—Saturday, December 17. Contact: Chris Howard

Christmas Bird Counts are one of the oldest and largest citizen sicence events in the world; this year the 112th annual counts will take place. The results (more…)

With snow falling gently outside the office tonight, and more snow predicted for the next few days, Tioga Pass (Highway 120) has closed again. No word yet on whether this closure will be in effect for the rest of the season, but for now, plan to cross the Sierra Nevada on Highways 88, 50, or 80.

Yesterday—Wednesday, December 7—Tioga Pass (Highway 120) reopened through Yosemite National Park. Last week’s high winds blew a number of trees down in the high country, but the trees have now been removed from the road.

With snow predicted for this coming weekend it is unlikely that Tioga Pass will remain open for long. As always, when traveling across the Sierra Nevada in winter, check weather forecasts and road conditions before you go. Safe travels!

After high winds and snow flurries yesterday and last night Highway 120 over Tioga Pass is once again closed from Crane Flat through Yosemite National Park to three miles west of Highway 395.

Sonora Pass (Highway 108) and Ebbetts Pass (Highway 4) are also closed, but Highways 88, 89, and 50 are currently open. As you travel “over the river and through the woods” through the mountains this holiday season, be sure to check weather and road conditions for updates as conditions change quickly, and be sure to drive safely!

Highway 120 up and over Tioga Pass is currently open! It’s not too late for a visit to the Mono Basin from the west side, or for a trip to the high country before the big snow comes. This week’s forecast looks mostly clear and chilly—a great combination for getting out and about.

We always recommend checking road and weather conditions before you travel. For information on the Tioga Pass road, you can call: (800) GAS-ROAD or (209) 372-0200 or visit the regional road conditions page here. For weather conditions, check here.

The road is generally clear, though (more…)