Mammoth Weather Update for Friday, July 30th, 2021

Synopsis: The main weather story through Saturday will be the continued thunderstorm chances.

For today we have a flash flood watch posted for all areas of the Eastern Sierra. As of this post, there is a Flash Flood watch south of Mammoth Lakes into Bishop for Saturday.

Look for an increase in thunderstorm activity today and most likely again on Saturday. Skies are clear this morning so that’s a great sign there will be some great build-ups with some really heavy rainfall and hail mixed in today.

It’s impossible to nail down what exact locations get hit with thunderstorms, areas that do could get up to an inch of rain by Saturday. With up to 2+ inches in some isolated locations in the back-country.

Local area vegetation has moistened up a bit so the rain we have had helping at this point. I like it when we have a flash flood watch instead of a red flag warning.

On Sunday the chance for thunderstorms will be dropping to 30-40% and they will not be as wet or numerous. By Monday we dry out as the monsoon flow gets cuts off for now. 

Next week is looking to offer up clear blue skies with the normal afternoon winds out of the SW. Looks like a great week to get out for some long hikes, bike rides, and back-country adventures.

Temperatures: Look for the mid to upper 60s for Mammoth Mountain with mid-70s for Mammoth Lakes. Down in Bishop, it’s cooled off down into the low 90s. There could even be highs in the 80s for Bishop this weekend.

In areas that do get under a heavy thunderstorm, temperatures can drop 20 or more degrees fast. Be prepared if you plan to be outdoors during the pm hours the next few days.

Winds: will be strong near Thunderstorms the next few days. Starting next week the good old SW afternoon winds will be back.

Smoke and Haze: We have been experiencing some haze with very light smoke at times. Nothing to worry about at this time.

Here are the links to NWS Forecast for Main Lodge & the Mammoth Lakes Basin, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, Crowley Lake, and Bishop.

Extended Outlook: Looking out over the next 16 days I am still not seeing any excessive heat waves and no return of the Monsoon yet.

Looking out towards Fall and into the Winter months, it’s looking dry and warm to start. Models have moved from a neutral winter to forecasting a la Nina to set up again.

Kind of early to jump on how strong it could be. Mammoth and the central Sierra have done good with weak La Nina’s, not so bad with moderate ones but if it’s strong again expect a drier year.

Snowman

Mammoth Ski Patrol Weather Station