Yosemite Sees 47 Inches of Snowfall as National Parks Give Storm Updates

Western national parks have given an update on snowfall seen during intense winter storms in recent weeks.

California and other parts of the West saw winter storms during an atmospheric river recently. Parts of California were under a rare blizzard warning, while other states were under a winter storm watch.

Yosemite National Park was one of the worst-affected areas, as the blizzard hit the Sierra Nevada mountain range, dumping snow across the park.

"Our Tuolumne Meadows winter rangers were greeted with 47 inches of new snow last week at the start of March during the late season storm that brought blizzard conditions," Yosemite National Park said in an update to Facebook.

"Along with the snow, came the highest sustained winds Rob and Laura had observed in their 13 years here as winter rangers. While you might expect all the fresh snow to leave behind a blanketed landscape, the extreme winds blew snow in all different directions creating a variety of ski and avalanche conditions."

Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon also received a dumping of snow and had to close because of it.

The park rangers issued an update following the week-long closure prompted by 77.9 inches of snow.

"After over a week-long closure and an accumulation of nearly 6.5 ft (77.9 inches - to be precise) of snow during that time, the road from Steel Visitors Center up to Rim Village is officially OPEN," the statement from the park read. "Make sure to stay updated on if the road will remain open by checking our website for current conditions of road closures. We expect closures in the near future, potentially as soon as tomorrow morning, as the park continues to endure the spectacular snowy environment that it is known for."

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado also shared photographs documenting the huge amount of snow spreading across the park.

Sharing a picture of a snow angel, the park said: "To the person who expertly executed a facedown snow angel, your enthusiasm for the wintery conditions at Black Canyon does not go unnoticed. Last weekend's foot of snowfall is still holding on in many places at the park. Trails are mostly packed snow, becoming soft and slushy in the afternoon. Consider bringing traction devices or snowshoes."

This recent snowfall will hopefully mean good things for this year's water supply in the West. In recent years, the region has been in severe drought conditions, meaning that officials were concerning about the water supply.

In the spring, snow from the mountains runs down, feeding the rivers and reservoirs of the West. So, while the winter storms were unpleasant while they lasted, it is good news for the usually dry region.

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