As of today, in season, building toward peak (~July 15). Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Watermelon snow is a seasonal bloom of pigmented snow algae, most commonly Sanguina nivaloides, that stains melting alpine snow red to pink.
It appears on residual snowfields and edges of snowmelt streams and is visible across the Sierra Nevada during summer months when temperatures rise and meltwater pools form.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Dana Meadows (near Tioga Road) |
| Gaylor Lakes and Mt. Dana Snowfields |
| + 2 more spots, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.