Daily Report - Yosemite National Park Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
WEATHER
Yosemite Valley
Today: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 29. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 16 and 26 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.
Tonight: Snow showers. Low around 22. South southwest wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Thursday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 29. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Friday: Snow. High near 33. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
Today: Rain. High near 53. Southwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Tonight: Showers. Low around 34. South southwest wind between 13 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday: Rain likely. Snow level 2300 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Rain. High near 53. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tonight: Snow showers. Low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Thursday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Friday: Snow. High near 42. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
HAPPENING TODAY
PARK AND PARTNER NEWS
Minor Yosemite Organizational Changes
To create some additional efficiency and increased collaboration, we are making several minor organizational adjustments. Many of these changes are to help complete the extensive upcoming public engagement related to the Merced Wild and Scenic River Plan. The changes are:
Sean McCabe, Realty Officer, now reports to the Office of the Superintendent
Public Outreach Office, Donna Sisson and staff, now report to the Office of the Superintendent
Heather Boothe, Volunteer Program Manager, now reports to the Interpretation Division
Tom Medema, is the now the Senior liaison for Yosemite Conservancy for the Executive Leadership Team
Jennifer Treutelaar, Hetch Hetchy Program Manager, will continue to be the Yosemite Conservancy Project Manager Liaison
Marea Ortiz, Interpretation Division, will detail to the Office of the Superintendent and work on the civic engagement component of the Merced River Plan (D. Neubacher - 2/16)
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Badger Pass Daily Snow Report
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Base Depth: 66” – 72”
New Snow: 5”
Snow Conditions: Powder, Packed Powder
Forecast: Snow
Temperature: High: 31 , Low: 19
Runs Groomed: Bruin, Eagle, Turtle, Rabbit, Red Fox, Beaver
Lifts Open: Turtle, Bruin, Eagle, Badger
Runs open: All
Many features (14) in our two terrain parks!!! One is on Eagle run with boxes, rails, rollers and a jump while the Beaver run hosts 4 big-air jumps, rollers and boxes!! Come try them out!!
Groomed XC trails: Freshly groomed from Badger Pass to Glacier Point on Thursday night (February 10). Fresh tracks to Bridalveil Campground on Tuesday night (February 15).
XC trail snow conditions: Excellent
Tubing Hill: Two sessions/day: 11:30am–1:30pm & 2:00pm–4:00pm (S. Costello - 2/16)
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Yosemite Renaissance XXVI
It is that time of year again! Please join us to celebrate the arts of Yosemite on February 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Museum Gallery in Yosemite Valley, where the 26th Yosemite Renaissance exhibit will be opening. The exhibit features 42 works of art selected from more than 570 entries. Media include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and sculpture. Awards will be announced and refreshments will be served. The exhibit will be open from February 26 through May 1. (B. Beroza - 2/15)
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Fire Management to Resume Pile Burning in Yosemite
Due to the recent dry weather and forecasted storm this week, conditions are optimal to resume handpile burning in Yosemite. During the next several weeks, Fire Management intends to conduct pile burning in the communities of Foresta, Wawona and South Entrance and along the Wawona Rd. between Bishop Ck and the Wawona Campground. The purpose of the piles are to restore forest systems by thinning and burning accumulated small trees and forest biomass that would have otherwise been recycled under a natural fire regime, i.e. frequent low intensity lightning fires. They also create 'defensible space' near Yosemite's communities and road corridors and open scenic vistas. Minimal localized smoke impacts can be expected during burning operation. Pile burning may continue until conditions become unfavorable - i.e. too wet, poor smoke dispersal and or 'No Burn Days'. Please contact the Prescribed Fire Office with any questions @ 209-375-9576. (T. Pusina - 2/15)
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EMPLOYEE NEWS
New face in the Superintendent's Office
Please join us in welcoming Alan Kunz to the Office of the Superintendent. Alan has accepted the 120-day detail as our administrative support assistant. As an NPS employee at Yosemite since 1999, he has a diverse employment background, having worked in the divisions of Project Management, Planning, and Administration. He is very active in our community, coaching soccer and volunteering as a structural firefighter. Alan lives in Yosemite Valley with his wife and two (twin) sons. We are very fortunate to have him join our team...welcome Alan! (C. Mattiuzzi - 2/16)
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Sign up for five-part NASA-based Climate Change Webinar
Want to learn more about climate change? Participate in a free webinar series called "Earth to Sky: An Introduction to Communicating about Climate Change" that's designed to provide a basic foundation to communicate about changing climate and its implications on our public lands. The five-part series will draw upon NASA’s extensive climate research to help address common misconceptions and will feature interpretive/educational products and techniques from the NASA-NPS-USFWS partnership that have become best practices (including exhibits, pod-casts, Jr. Ranger programs and publications). The series encourages participants to create their own preliminary action plans for communicating climate change at their site. Who Should Attend? Interpretive staff, education specialists, partners, other agencies, and stakeholders. E xperience or knowledge of climate science is not a prerequisite. Sessions take place 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PST.
Feb. 28 : Introduction to Earth to Sky/Climate Change
March 4 : The Significance of Resource Knowledge
March 7 : Knowledge of Audience and Public Engagement
March 9: Appropriate Techniques and Best Practices
March 23: Participants’ Plans for Actions and Product
Register by Feb. 22: NPS staff should register in DOI Learn https://doilearn.doi.gov/ (search on “EtSe” or “Communicating Climate Change”) AND at “gotowebinar.com” for the webinar series https://www1.gotomeeting.com/
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Windshield Repairs
We have a couple of vehicles needing windshield replacements and repairs. If anyone else within the Park needs to have a government vehicle or personal vehicle repaired, please notify the Machine Shop at 379-1150 or call Sharon of Arrow Glass at 533-3700. (G. Tilley - 2/15)
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ACTING DESIGNATIONS
David Pettebone is Acting Chief of Resources Management and Science on and Wednesday, February 16. He can be reached at (209) 379-1216.
Mike Wichmann will be Acting Division Chief for Project Management on Wednesday, February 16 while Randy Fong is out of the park. Mike can be reached at 379-1139, or you may leave a message with Cheri Murdock at 379-1138.
Kelly Martin will be Acting Chief of Protection while Charles Cuvelier is out of the park February 15-20. She can be reached at 372-0325 or you can leave a message with Rhonda Soden at 372-0290.
Ed Dunlavey will be acting for Law Enforcement Issues while Charles Cuvelier is out of the park February 15-20. He can be reached at 372-0501 or you can leave a message with Rhonda Soden at 372-0290.
Jay Shields will be Acting Mather District Ranger until further notice.
Brenna Lissoway (379-1283) will be the Acting Park Archivist while Paul Rogers is on a detail as the Acting Regional Archivist (PWR). If you have need to access the Archives, or have archive related questions, you can call 379-1282 or 379-1104.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Yosemite EOC Book Discussion
Join the (Book) Discussion: Yosemite’s Equal Opportunity Committee hosts a reading of Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors for their New York Times articles. The 2009 book offers enlightening statements on gender inequality from women around the world, such as Pakistan’s Sharifa Bibi who said, “ If a woman earns more than her husband, it’s difficult for him to discipline her.” Read a Harvard Magazine book review: http://harvardmagazine.com/
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El Portal School Annual Raffle
Win a Sony Blu-Ray Player, Hugh Sakols Photograph, Cord of Wood, Gift Card to Lowes and Mountain Meadow Farms, Yoga, Guitar Lessons.....ALSO 3 chances for dinner for 2 at Ahwahnee, Mountain Room and Wawona, or dinner for 4 cooked and delivered to your home by Ahwahnee Executive Chef Percy Whatley. 13 tickets for $10 - culminates Thursday Feb. 24th at Sal's (need not be present to win). Call 372-4870 for information. (B. Armon - 2/16)
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