Weather Blog
Daily outlooks and forecasts for the Eastern Sierra
Latest Outlook
March 2026: An Analysis of The Worst Snowpack Loss in 50+ Years for the Eastern Sierra
A deep dive into the numbers behind March 2026's historic snowmelt across the Eastern and Southern Sierra. Across 39 SWE-reporting stations with up to 50 years of data, March 2026 ranks #1 for snowpack loss at 30 of them. In a month that historically builds snowpack, the Sierra lost an average of nearly 9 inches of SWE.
April 3, 2026
March 2026: An Analysis of The Worst Snowpack Loss in 50+ Years for the Eastern Sierra
A deep dive into the numbers behind March 2026's historic snowmelt across the Eastern and Southern Sierra. Across 39 SWE-reporting stations with up to 50 years of data, March 2026 ranks #1 for snowpack loss at 30 of them. In a month that historically builds snowpack, the Sierra lost an average of nearly 9 inches of SWE.
Warming up, possible undercutting systems later next week?
Amounts varied widely with yesterday's convectively-driven showers. We will now begin on a warming trend through the weekend. By the 9th of April, there are early indications that troughs may try to weakly undercut the Gulf of Alaska ridge, but confidence remains low.
Very windy with a side of snow
Yesterday's storm shifted northward at the last minute, resulting in a massively overperforming system farther north. The Mammoth area underperformed, with more showers this evening. Longer range, we dry out and warm up...
Showers trending up slightly...
Hi-res models are getting this storm into view, and are painting a very slightly wetter picture.
A weak pair of storms coming...
Warm weather gives way to unsettled weather. Uncertainty remains around snowfall amounts, but it looks like a weak storm with high snow levels.
A pattern change is coming. A big storm? Not so fast...
Above-average temps will remain through the weekend before a pattern change brings much cooler weather, with some showers to CA. There is still a large amount of uncertainty around this system.
A pattern change coming? But first, more heat!!
The next 5-6 days will remain much above-average temps, with a possible return to cooler and active weather Mar 31 – April 3rd.
More Heat this Week and a Possible Pattern Change...?
After a paltry cooldown this weekend, high pressure intensifies again bringing us several more days of intense heat. The signal for a small to moderate storm window at the beginning of April is looking stronger.
New Record in Bishop, Heat Reloading Next Week...
Today is the hottest day in the heatwave. The ridge will briefly relax before reforming overhead on Tuesday for another peak in the intensity. Above average heat will persist through next week.
Dog days... of winter?
Historic March heat is ramping up over the West, with significantly above average temps lasting into next week. With prolific snowpack loss, a snow-starved West will be hit hard as there is no return to active weather on the horizon.
Record breaking heatwave... Winter is Over.
A truly historic high pressure system will build in, shattering many all-time March temperature records, as well as some April records across the west.
Record breaking heatwave and a glimmer of hope?
A record breaking heat dome will build in, likely shattering many March all-time heat records. This will eat away at the anemic western snowpack and push any chances of more active weather to the end of the month.
Corn cycle and a waning snowpack!
Much warmer temps have allowed for a corn cycle the last two days. The foreseeable future will bring a heatwave, possibly of record breaking proportion.
Dry March!
No end in sight to the dry...
No Snow in Sight...
Cooler Pattern and Extended Dry....
Measly March
After an inch of graupel, we enter a cooler pattern. The overall look is dry with an occasional dusting
Happy First Day of Meteorological Spring!
Spring starts with weak showers and a remarkably dry extended outlook
Weak showers tomorrow evening and slightly cooler temps
Warm today, cooling off with weak showers tomorrow evening. Dry outlook longer term...
Very weak showers next week...
Remarkable warmth today followed by colder temps and weak showers
Hot and Dry with Dustings Possible Next week...
After high overnight freezing levels and rain up to 11k, hot and dry conditions will persist. A slight chance of weak storms starting next week.