Where is the snow in the Sierra Nevada this year?

It is now 22nd November and we still haven’t had any significant snowfalls in the Sierra Nevada. The high temperatures of recent weeks has also meant abandonment of snow making at the ski centre, which was hoping to open in a weeks time. However there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

Contrast this……………..

Snow Sierra Nevada 2nd Nov 2008

With this………………

Bare slopes 22nd November 2009

What a difference a year makes. In our article written on 2nd november 2009 entitled “Loads of early season snow in the Sierra Nevada above 2000m” we wrote, “Big falls of snow over the past two days have given a great start to the winter here. With more snow to fall in the next few days and temperatures remaining low we can expect excellent skiing conditions and a good base for the winter to come”. Indeed, the following day, a group of Spanish Highs clients only just managed to reach the Caldera hut before aborting an attempt on Mulhacen. See http://www.sierra-nevada-news.com/2008/11/snowshoeing-mulhacen-fresh-tracks-deep-powder/

Now we are left with the memories of what last year, admittedly, was a fantastic winter. The local “camposinos” around Lanjarón, where we are based, say that even they can’t remember so dry a start to the winter. In the past 2 weeks we have had daytime temperatures between 22 and 26 degrees. One respected local has even bet me a bottle of fine rioja that there will be no major rains until the start of 2010! Doom and gloom indeed.

But there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. There may be the chance of precipitation in the first week of December, not soon enough to rescue the ski centre from delaying it’s opening date, but enough to suggest better conditions for us mountaineers and mountain walkers. See image below which is for the next 6 to 14 days. Keep your fingers crossed.

Forecast for 6 to 14 days from 22nd Nov