Finally! Winter in the Sierra. After several years of subpar winters that lacked any photographically tangible amount of precipitation, the last few months of 2015 and the early days of 2016 have brought with them a continuous stream of rain and snow. . . which in turn has rejuvenated the streams and waterfalls of Yosemite Valley and frosted the canyon walls with fine ice and powder.
Down on the valley floor every snowstorm has been relatively warm, and left a snowpack with a high water content. As a result, heavy snows do not remain in the forrest canopy for long as the boughs quickly let loose most of what accumulates. And what does manage to stick in the trees into the mid-morning hours, rapidly takes on the visual quality of cottage cheese. Therefore, if you are headed up to the park this winter with the intent on photographing through a storm, I recommend that you prioritize your locations to make the most of any brisk mornings.