Climate and Conditions

Climate and Conditions

One of the major benefits the Sierra Nevada brings to mountaineers and ski tourers’ is the reasonably consistent and reliable snowfall, combined with the many days of sun each winter. Indeed the downhill ski resort at Pradollano is said to be the sunniest ski resort in the world.

Influences

• From the west - fronts come in from the west bringing wet weather falling as snow on the high ground above 2000m. This can bring heavy early season powder which usually means great for the skiers, but not so good for access to the mountains, nor for completing mountaineering routes.

• From the north, northeast or northwest - when these fronts arrive it will be very cold with overnight temperatures between -10º and -20º at 3000m. Needless to say the windchill in these months can be arctic! Snow may fall down to 1000m.

• From the south - the approach of a southerly front is followed by a quick increase in temperatures bringing possible rain or melting at high altitudes. After the front has passed and the temperatures return to normal then the whole of the Sierra Nevada will become a “block of ice”! Very dangerous conditions for either walking or skiing.

• From the east - infrequent but wet fronts nevertheless, giving heavy snowfalls especially to the eastern Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada does provide reliable snow cover in the mountains from January through to the end of May.

Month by month

• The first major snowfalls can arrive between the end of October and the end of November and further falls in December will generally consolidate the snow pack for the remainder of the winter. In lean years it will be January before this consolidation process has occurred.

• January and February have many clear and sunny days but there always exists the possibility of short heavy snowfalls. Temperatures will be at their lowest in the mountains and thus these months tend to provide the best ice climbing.

• March and April provide longer days and slightly warmer temperatures. History shows a week of prolonged bad weather at the end of March or beginning of April. This late season snowfall has the advantage of extending the ski touring season well into May. 

• May can provide great mountaineering and ski touring opportunities but the snow pack softens markedly after midday.

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