The season’s first snow accentuates the otherwise bare tree limbs along Mumy Lane west of Bishop. Photo by Mike Bodine

By Mike Bodine
Register Staff
12-16-2008

Just in time for the holidays, Inyo and Mono counties have finally gotten the first big snow storm of the season.
At least five inches of the white powder have been reported from Bishop to Lone Pine, and as far south as Victorville. A little more was reported in the mountains.
On Monday, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area reported 18 inches of fresh snowfall accumulation in the last 24 hours, for a total depth of 3-5 feet, with part of its terrain parks and a total of 12 chairs in operation.
According to the National Weather Service, snow started falling in Bishop at about 11 p.m. Sunday and continued until about 5 a.m. Monday. There was 0.12 inches of precipitation recorded.
ShaleAnn Cluff of Cardinal Lodge said Monday morning that with the little flakes still coming down, “it looks like a snow globe.” She said there were 6-7 inches of new snow and she knew it had snowed in Bishop too, because the roads had not yet been plowed to that end of State Route 168.
Anissa Eaton of the Lone Pine Airport reported five inches on the tarmac, but it still wasn’t enough to close the schools, to the chagrin of her children.
As of Monday morning, chains were required in all directions leaving Bishop, even going south, with chain controls reported as far south as Olancha and as far north as the Nevada  state line.

Arnie Patzkowski of Giggle Springs, Too, cleaning up after Bishop’s first snow of the season. Photo by Mike Bodine

 According to the Department of Transportation Web site, chains were required for U.S. 395 North and large trucks towing a single-axle drive trailer were prohibited. Chains were required on S.R. 168, three miles west of Bishop, with tougher restrictions farther up the grade. State Route 168 East to Westgard Pass had chain controls in effect, with the Death Valley Road closed from 2.5 miles east of Big Pine to Death Valley.
The snow is expected to usher in the annual rush of skiers and snowboarders, mostly by car, but some may come by plane.
Almost as if it were planned to coincide with this first storm, the  Mammoth/Yosemite Airport is scheduled to start accepting commercial flights from Horizon Air on Thursday.
Horizon Air will reportedly begin daily, nonstop flights between Mammoth and Los Angeles International Airport on Dec. 18.
Stuart Brown, recreation officer for the Town of Mammoth Lakes, said that in case of inclement weather, the aircraft will be advised not to leave Los Angeles until a reasonable weather window is available.
Local meteorologist Howard Scheckter said Monday that the storm should tapper off today and Wednesday, with a slight chance of more snow Thursday night. He added that a front moving into the area sometime Sunday night may bring some substantial moisture as it taps into a moisture off the Hawaiian islands.
And, there may be a white Christmas in the works as he predicts another, even bigger and wetter storm to move in by the middle of next week, Tuesday or Wednesday and stay around until the first of the new year.