Clearing storm from Tunnel View, January 2012
A powerful storm is forecast to reach California soon. It could be the strongest storm here since 2008, with lots of rain, high-elevation snow, and potentially damaging winds. Yosemite could get two to three inches of rain, with a couple feet of snow above 8,000 feet. Areas further north could get even more. Meteorologists are talking about potential flooding in some places, and mudslides in burned areas.
Is this the start of a wet winter? It’s too early to tell, but we’re certainly due for one. There are two more storms forecast for next week, and although they’re not expected to be as strong, it seems like we’re in a wet pattern right now – and when was the last time we could say that? Although no one wants to see serious flooding, we really, really need the rain.
Of course interesting weather can create interesting photo opportunities. Snow levels with this oncoming storm are expected to start at around 8,000 feet, lower quickly to 6,000 feet, and possibly get down to 4,500 feet at the tail end of the storm. That’s a little too high to reach Yosemite Valley (at 4,000 feet), but if the snow-level prediction is a little bit off the valley could get a dusting of snow just before skies clear.
But even without snow, any clearing storm can be photogenic. It looks the storm will clear either late Friday or early Saturday in Yosemite. The valley might look a little like the photograph above, with bare trees on the valley floor, but lots of new snow on the rim. And if we’re really lucky the storm will clear just before sunset, or just before sunrise, with low-angle sunlight and lots of mist.
Let’s hope we get many more opportunities to photograph clearing storms this winter in California – and, more importantly, get lots of rain and snow to fill up the creeks, rivers, and reservoirs.
— Michael Frye
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Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, Yosemite Meditations for Adventurers, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom 5: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
And abate the fire danger (though it’s never gone)
Indeed!
Michael-
Looked at NOAA’s Aviation website, and it looks like the next 48 hours, that storm will be over N. California & the Pacific Northwest. For much needed rain.
Hope you get some great images!
Thanks Bill! More importantly, I hope we get some good rain and snow!
When is the most ideal time for photographing Horsetail Falls this year? I’ve heard Feb 15-16 or 20 -21 2015.
Roger
It’s the same every year Roger – Feb. 16-23.
Hi Michael:
Great image….Based on Lik’s recent $6.5 million sale of a B&W, I hope you are getting close to equivalent for your fine work…..:-).
BTW: are you still shooting with the Sony A7r? I am revisiting the A7’s with the new A7 II which I hope to get any day. I have the impression they have improved the system a lot, one of which is moving away from the 11 bit file to a 14 bit file. It will be interesting to see what the A9 will be like in February.
Sincerely,
Earl
Thanks Earl. Shall we take bets about how much that Peter Lik photo will be worth in 50 years?
Yes, I’m still using the A7r, and I love it. As for the A9, rumors are rumors, and I’ll wait and see.
What is your bet Michael?
Um, I probably shouldn’t comment. 🙂
I was just curious. We were going with my wife over the 20 most expensive photos ever sold and 90% of yours are better in most respects. Strange world.
The art world is indeed strange!
Hi Michael:
Just unboxed my new A7 II and I love it. Better, sturdier feel and like how they moved the card slot to the side rather than at the bottom. Base ISO is 50 and with the 5 Axis stabilization, quite impressive. The files are reported to be 14 bits. No shots yet, but will work with it next week and do some comparisons to the D600. I am also anxious to work with the Zeiss 16-35 which has a lot of good reviews. Will let you know.
Earl
Glad you like it so far Earl!
Michael,
This is a stunning black and white photograph!!
Thanks so much
Don
Thank you Don!
Michael,
Here’s wishing you all in California a wet and snowy winter and, as a beneficial side effect, great photography opportunities. In Colorado we had a good winter in 2013-2014 which helped our reservoirs considerably but caused some horribly damaging floods back in September, 2013. We have to accept the good with the bad and pray for the best. If the activity of the squirrels in my yard which are frantically fattening up an burying food is any indication (not to scientific, huh?), a snowy winter is coming again!
Thanks for the rain wishes James! Isn’t every winter a snowy winter there? 🙂
If only that were true…! I guess if one lives above timberline (~11,000 feet) it always snows in the winter. Here in Colorado Springs it is more likely to snow on Easter than it is on Christmas!
Beautiful image. One thing I like about winter is that it’s a great time for B&W photography.
I hope all you don’t have too much damage along the west coast, but the prospect of new precipitation should be welcoming.
Thanks Alan, and we’re definitely welcoming the rain!
This storm is being called #stormageddon in the Bay Area :-D. But, seriously, yes, although flooding is bad, it’s great to see some moisture finally arrive in CA.
Yeah, a bit over-the-top, but it’s better to be talking about that than the drought.
Michael those images so confer the feelings you instruct us to instill in our pictures. Makes me want to be there. And in 2016 I hope to hire you for a short class in winter. Truly you have been my best teacher. Hope to see you in 2015 at Starry nights.
Beautiful.
Thanks so much Janet!