Playa conditions for 2009?

kittydoomdoom · Post by **kittydoomdoom** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:46 am

From what I understand, the 2008 dunes were caused primarily by very little rainfall resulting in the sight never going underwater. I've heard this was also the case in 2007. The conditions were certainly much different than in previous years!

Is there a good way to find out if there has been enough rain/snow to have a relatively hard surface for this year?

Has anyone been out there recently? At what point does the water level normally reach it's peak?

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:26 am

Sites like weather underground have tracking data for weather conditions. It looks like from November until now, there may have been an inch total of rain in Gerlach.

I don't know how the Playa needs to get all happy and hard baked again, but it seems like it would be more than that.

kittydoomdoom · Post by **kittydoomdoom** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:33 am

Ya, I've been watching wunderground but don't know how much is needed either. It varies based on other factors of course.

I've been looking for a site that posts satellite imagery of the area on a regular basis or some other kind of reporting mechanism with no luck so far.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:36 am

goathead would know, but, he's not been around for a while........

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:33 pm

Ill be in Gerlach around the 6th i will drop some pictures of the playa.
a mate of mine tells me that there is sufficient water on site - more than he has seen in the last 4-5 years so it could be a great year for the playa and land speed racing. I am excited.

later

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:01 pm

Good news md!

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:04 pm

We were out there last week, but too late to take pics of the Playa.

The locals say there is water standing in the spots that it usually does.

Here is the only pic we took while we were there........

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:21 pm

Glad to hear the Empire Store is open.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:37 pm

Open is a really loose term.........

open and gutted would be a little closer.

(I am glad they re-opened it too, regardless)

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:38 pm

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/rev/hydrology/m ... greatbasin

someone (simon?) posted this site on another thread. thanks

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:53 pm

dunes and loose sand are caused by winter and spring weather conditions and the lack of precipitation, from what I understand. Bm's existence I highly doubt is a factor.

The alternate sites for BM are not that far apart and shouldn't account for much difference in playa conditions.

2005, 2006 and 2007 playa conditions were great for bike riding: hard packed and smooth. 2008 was dramatically different.

I would like to know what was the average precipitation levels for 2005 and 2006 so I can know how 2009 is shaping up. Anyone?

Liz Estrada · Post by **Liz Estrada** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:44 pm

i thought "Playa" was spanish for "beach"

there's no water around there, is there?

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 6:35 pm

It is. It also describes the numerous dry lake beds in north america with alkali soils. Salt Flats are called such because they are salty.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:29 pm

Liz Estrada wrote:i thought "Playa" was spanish for "beach"

there's no water around there, is there?

at times........

and, there was..........

Post by **mdmf007** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:34 pm

well first one, and then the Other.

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:31 am

actually, I think there is a lot of water around the Burning Man site, its just beneath the surface of the lake bed. Could be wrong.

So, anyhow, doe anyone know how much precip the Playa got in 2005 and 2006 when the surface conditions were perfect for bikes?

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:34 am

the surface conditions are probably more dependant, after a minimum amount of precip. on the timing of said water..........

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 6:37 pm

As they tell us that we are in our third year of draught, I'm guessing that winter 04-05 was normal and 05-06 less than normal precipitation.

chixibabe · Post by **chixibabe** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:34 pm

Has anyone found out anymore playa conditons since Jan 15th? Rainfall? We've had a lot of rain in the Bay Area and nice snow in the mountains. Was wondering how it has effected the Playa.

LostinReno · Post by **LostinReno** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:33 am

It's been raining pretty hard in Reno off and on since last night. Here is the forcast for Gerlach!

Igneouss · Post by **Igneouss** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:42 am

Storms seemed to be moving straight from Reno toward BR. Looks like a good chance of rain/snow on the playa

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:02 pm

The winter of 2004 was a record high in inchs in the Reno Nv area....before that it was 87 then again in 81.

05,06 and 07 yrs out in BRC Im sure all had it good just from that one good year in 04.

Last year the city was moved to an exsisting footprint of an old city yr
(? dont know which year), but kinda to just a little south of it, which encompassed the damn trash fence line going through the damn middle of the city...YUCK!

But things have not equaled up to a moist yr for 2009.

I would guess put your nobbiest tires on your bikes!
Or build a Mutant Vehicle! hehehee

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:09 pm

Do not use knobby tires.
They break the surface and make it worse.
And they fling dust everywhere.

Smooth and wide is best.
If you have to have a pattern, here is the Continental Town and Country with an inverted tread pattern designed to not pick up mud and snow.
Edges are chamfered for this reason.
I have seen these on the playa.
Impressive.

I'll go for the widest slicks I can get, but these are good tires.
They do make slick mountain bike tires.

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:06 pm

It's raining like a BITCH here in Reno !!!! wuuu huuuu !!!!

LostinReno · Post by **LostinReno** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:56 pm

Boijoy wrote:It's raining like a BITCH here in Reno !!!! wuuu huuuu !!!!

Yes it is!

And snowing up at Rose!
http://www.skirose.com/snow/snow_report.php

::happy dance of joy::

Oh and since my full jpeg didn't work above, it supposed to precipitate all week in Gerlach too!

** edited because my spelling skills suck!

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:20 pm

Hopefully there will be lots of rain on the Nevada mountains surrounding and on the Playa. A bit warm for snow with this storm, although the National Weather Service has a "weather alert" in effect for the area through wednesday morning. They say that freezing temps might make it to the valley floors. we will see if it is still percipitating at that time.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:31 pm

Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake

Tonight...Scattered showers with isolated evening thunderstorms. Snow level 7000 feet lowering to 5000 feet late. Snow accumulation less than 1 inch. Lows 27 to 37. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

Tuesday...Chance of rain and snow in the morning...then rain and snow likely in the afternoon. Snow level 4500 to 5000 feet. Highs 49 to 59. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

Tuesday Night...Snow and rain likely. Snow level 4500 feet. Snow accumulation up to 2 inches. Lows 22 to 32. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

Wednesday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Highs 37 to 47. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain or snow showers. Snow level 4500 feet. Lows 21 to 31. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

Thursday...Cloudy with a chance of snow showers. Highs 37 to 47.

Thursday Night...Cloudy with a slight chance of snow showers. Lows 18 to 28.

Friday...Cloudy with a slight chance of showers. Highs 37 to 47.

Friday Night...Cloudy with a slight chance of snow showers. Lows 17 to 27.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy. Highs 40 to 50.

Saturday Night And Sunday...Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers. Lows 18 to 28. Highs 41 to 51.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain and snow. Lows 20 to 30.

Monday...Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of snow. Highs 32 to 42.

penguin · Post by **penguin** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:24 pm

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... it=0&lg=en

That link will get you the "point" forecast for BRC (or fairly close -- anyone have the exact GPS coords for this years Center Camp handy?)

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:26 pm

http://www.almanac.com/weatherforecast/us/13
April 2009
Avg. Temperature: 45Â° (4Â° below avg.)
Precipitation: 1.3" (0.3" above avg.)
Apr. 1-2: Sunny, seasonable
Apr. 3-8: Rain, then sunny, warm
Apr. 9-19: Periods of rain and snow, chilly
Apr. 20-22: Sunny, warmer
Apr. 23-30: Rain and snow, chilly

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:47 am

We got 8" fresh snow here.

And

Gerlach has snow on the ground (the playa looks allll white) (its alright)

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/t ... ebcam.html
it will be all gone in a few hours.