Over the Thanksgiving holiday a cold, dry, low pressure system dropped into the Great Basin and turned on the snow-making machine south of Mono Lake. Cold air moving south over Mono Lake warmed slightly and absorbed evaporative water from the lake. As the air rose over the Mono Craters and points south the water vapor cooled and fell as snow. From November 26–27, champagne powder piled up over localized areas like the Mono Craters. Although Lee Vining and Eastern Sierra precipitation remains about average for October and November, the most recent storm provided an unusual lake-effect snow phenomenon.
Now that’s cool – looks like some good cross-country skiing; great photos!