Yosemite Photos, Video and News

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, April 9, 2013

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 38.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

El Portal
Today: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 40.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Wawona
Today: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 32.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Yosemite Forum Today
Please join us in the Yosemite Valley East Auditorium, Tuesday, April 9, 2013, from Noon to 1 p.m. for the Yosemite Forum. Dr. Christopher Monz, Associate Professor of Recreation Ecology, Resources Management, Department of Environment, Utah State University, will present Recreation Ecology Applications in National Parks: Examples from Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Glacier Bay. Please contact D. Smith, 9-1439, or M. Thornley, 9-1060 for additional information. (D. Smith)
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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Monday, April 8, 2013

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Rain and snow showers likely before 11am, then a chance of rain showers. Snow level 4100 feet rising to 4600 feet. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 73.

El Portal
Today: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 85.

Wawona
Today: A chance of rain and snow showers before 11am, then a slight chance of rain showers. Snow level 4100 feet rising to 4700 feet. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Five New YOSE Directives Established
Over the past week, there have been five new Yosemite Directives established. It is very important that all staff read and review these new policies.
Directive #17: Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
Directive #18: Defensive Driving Policy
Directive #19: Blood-borne Pathogens
Directive #20: Respiratory Protection
Directive #21: Management of Mountain Lion Threats
These directives can be found on the Superintendent's Sharepoint site under "YOSE Directives" on the left-hand column. (K. Kosick)
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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, April 5, 2013

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 44.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 56.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.

El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday: A 10 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Sunday: A 10 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Hetch Hetchy Road Opening April 5
The Hetch Hetchy Road is scheduled to open Friday, April 5th. Construction project work will continue adjacent to O'Shaughnessy Dam, which will result in the parking area next to the dam to be closed Friday and Saturday, and potentially into the beginning of the week of April 8. Limited parking will be available at the backpacker's parking area. Pedestrians will have access to and across the dam. (A. Adams)
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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Thursday, April 4, 2013

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Showers. High near 60. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

El Portal
Today: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Wawona
Today: Showers likely, mainly before 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, April 3, 2013

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Thursday: Rain. High near 61. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Thursday: Rain. High near 73. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Thursday: Rain. High near 63. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

April Snow Survey Results
Results for the April snow survey show that the Merced River basin snowpack is at 53% of average while the Tuolumne River basin is at 52% of average for this time of year. Last year, the Merced was at 47% while the Tuolumne was at 43%, but the distribution of snow is much different this year. Last year, the snowpack was fairly consistently about 45% of average at all surveyed elevations. This year, the snowpack is about 70% of average down to around 8,000 feet, but drops off substantially below that. So, those early-June high-elevation backpacking trips that might have been possible last year will probably be much snowier this year. (M. Fincher/J. Trust)
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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, April 2, 2013

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Thursday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Thursday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Thursday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Wawona Northwest Prescribed Fire Postponed
Due to recent rainfall, the Wawona Northwest Prescribed Fire in Yosemite National Park has been rescheduled and will now tentatively begin next week on Tuesday, April 9. This date may change again, however, based on weather conditions. Smoke will still be visible in the project area before the prescribed fire is ignited because park fire crews will use the opportunity of the wet weather to burn piles of cut vegetation within the burn unit. This will contribute to the goal of reducing fuel to protect the community of Wawona and will also serve as a smoke management technique by reducing emissions from the larger prescribed fire. Pile burning will also take place at several other locations throughout the park.
For more information about the upcoming burn near Wawona, contact Jennifer Chapman at 415-464-5133 or jennifer_chapman@nps.gov. (J. Chapman)
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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Monday, April 1, 2013

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

El Portal
Today: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 86.

Wawona
Today: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

DNC Closings
Badger Pass Ski Area closed for the season on Sunday March 31st. Degnan's Loft closed for the season to the community on Sunday March 31st. (W. Kearns)
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Hazard Tree Work
Beginning Mon. 4/1 Park Forestry crews will be felling hazard trees along Hwy 41, working from the Valley floor, south toward Wawona. Traffic control will be in place from 7:30am to 3:30pm. Trees that are being felled have been identified as hazardous and if allowed to decay through natural processes would fall over the roadway. (L. Castro)
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Road Work at South Entrance
Please be advised that starting on Monday, April 1 roads crew will be working around the South Entrance and South Boundary. Short traffic delays may be encountered. (D. Dozier)
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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, March 29, 2013

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. High near 57. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.
Sunday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. High near 68. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67.
Sunday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 am. High near 58. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Wednesday, March 27, 2013

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66.

El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Campground Opening Today
Lower Pines Campground will open for the season at noon today. North Pines Campground will open for the season at noon on April 3. (M. Carter)
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Merced River Draft Plan and EIS Public Meeting Today
Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Visitor Center Auditorium (Open House), Yosemite Valley, CA
The public comment period for the MRP is open through Thursday, April 18, 2013. To download a copy of the plan or provide a comment visit http://parkplanning.nps.gov/mrp_deis.htm. (J. Friesen McCabe)
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Mist Trail Now Open
The lower section of the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls is open. The upper section of the John Muir Trail from Clark Point to the top of Nevada Falls and the Four Mile Trail remain closed. (N. Chakrin)
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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Tuesday, March 26, 2013

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Wawona Hotel Opening
The Wawona Hotel is opening for the season Friday, March 29th! Hours of Operation are as follows: Breakfast 7:30am - 10am opens on March 30, Lunch 11:30am - 1:30pm Opens on March 30, Dinner 5:30pm - 9pm Opens on March 29, Lounge Service 5pm - 9pm Opens on March 29. (W. Kearns)
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Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Monday, March 25, 2013

WEATHER

Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62.

El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Campground Openings
Lower Pines Campground will open for the season at noon on March 27. North Pines Campground will open for the season at noon on April 3. (M. Carter)
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Research Library Hours
The Research Library will be closed Monday, March 25 - March 29. (L. Eade)
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Working with Search and Rescue Dogs Training
A training to improve YOSAR's capabilities working when with search and rescue canines will be held May 10th from 0800-1100 in the Valley SAR cache training room. This class is intended both for Incident Commanders, and field personnel who would be interested in working with canine searchers.

Incident Commanders will learn how to best plan search areas and deploy dogs to various assignments. Field searchers will gain tips for how to work with a canine and their handler when they are assigned to do so on a search.

Daily Report - Yosemite National Park
Friday, March 22, 2013

WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Today: Sunny, with a high near 54.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54.

El Portal
Today: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74.

Wawona
Today: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 63.

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NEW AND HAPPENING TODAY

Prescribed Fire Scheduled in Yosemite National Park: Burn is Scheduled to Create Defensible Space in Wawona - news release
Media Contacts:
Scott Gediman 209-372-0248
Kari Cobb 209-372-0529

Yosemite National Park Fire Managers are planning a prescribed fire in the southern portion of the park. The burn will start on Thursday, April 4, 2013 or later, and is dependent on weather conditions. Specifically, the burn area is located near the community of Wawona. The total prescribed burn area will include 150 acres. The prescribed area is at the optimal fuel moisture level to successfully complete the project. This will be the first prescribed burn of the 2013 fire season.