snowfall

The following is the ski, snowboard and weather report for Tuesday, February 2, 2016 for South Lake Tahoe brought to you by Lake Tahoe SkiBum.

Weather - South Lake Tahoe will have a high of 31 and a low tonight of 13. Today: Scattered snow showers, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

The following is the ski, snowboard and weather report for Saturday, January 30, 2016 for South Lake Tahoe brought to you by Lake Tahoe SkiBum.

Winter Storm Warning until 10:00 a.m.

Weather - South Lake Tahoe will have a high of 36 and a low tonight of 18. Today: Snow. High near 36. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Tonight: RSnow. Low around 18. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

The following is the ski, snowboard and weather report for Sunday, January 17, 2016 for South Lake Tahoe brought to you by Lake Tahoe SkiBum.

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 4 p.m. Sunday to 10:00 a.m. Sunday. Heaviest snow from midnight to 8:00 a.m. Sunday. 8 to 14 inches above 7000 feet, 3 to 8 inches at lake level.

The following is the ski, snowboard and weather report for Sunday, January 10, 2016 for South Lake Tahoe brought to you by Lake Tahoe SkiBum.

The first snowpack survey of the season was taken Wednesday in Phillips, showing the snowpack us at 136% of average with a water content of 16.3 inches.

"This is encouraging but not where we'd like to be," said Frank Gehkre, the Chief Snow Surveyor for the California Department of Water Resources. "This is clearly much better than last year at this time."

One year ago the survey showed the snowpack at 47% of average.

The following is the ski, snowboard and weather report for Sunday, December 27, 2015 for South Lake Tahoe brought to you by Lake Tahoe SkiBum.

Weather - South Lake Tahoe will have a high of 36 and a low of 16. Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind around 5 mph. Tonight: Scattered snow showers between 10pm and 4am, then snow likely after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

While the storms hitting the Sierra this December are not unusual, they are very different from recent winters.

As of Christmas Day, 2015, all South Lake Tahoe ski resorts are reporting more snow than they had during the whole 2014 ski season.

Heavenly Valley - 167" of snow in November and December, to date; 87" last season.
Sierra-at-Tahoe - 173" reported, 120" last season.
Kirkwood - 194" reported, 188" last season.

The following is the ski, snowboard and weather report for Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2015 for South Lake Tahoe brought to you by Lake Tahoe SkiBum.

3:20 p.m. update 12/13/15: Chains controls have expanded. Chains are required on all vehicles except 4WD with snow tires from 9 miles east of Placerville to 3 miles east of Pollock Pines, then snow tires or chains until 5 miles east of Kyburz where it is chains or 4WD with snow tires to Meyers.

Chains or snow tires around the lake including Spooner Summit and Kingsbury Grade.

I80 is chains or 4WD with snow tires from Nyack to Truckee. Trucks are being screened at Applegate and Nevada State Line for maximum chains in possession and permit loads are prohibited.

It is still a few days away, but the warnings are already being issued for a winter storm headed to the Sierra Nevada.

A winter storm warning has been issued for Lake Tahoe, starting late Wednesday day and going until Thursday night. The National Weather Service issued the warning, saying there is a potential for significant snow accumulations that may create hazardous driving conditions.

Sierra-at-Tahoe is opening on Friday, marking the earliest opening date in 11 years. They will have limited terrain with early season conditions on three lifts and two surface lifts.

Great news for 2014-15 pass holders, Sierra announced that last year's passes are good for the first month of operations (through December 20, 2015).

There is a lake wind advisory in South Lake Tahoe Sunday with waves two to four feet expected until 7 p.m., with the biggest wave action on the east and northeast shores. Winds will be from the southwest 15-25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

The winds are in front of a fast moving low pressure system that will move across the Sierra and Western Nevada through Monday. It brings with it cold and snow showers starting on Sunday night.

The National Weather Service in Reno says that South Lake Tahoe snow totals from the storm headed to the Sierra will be less than two inches.

When most of the moisture from this storm hits the area Sunday night, the snow levels will be above 9,000 feet, leaving the South Shore with rain. The Lake Tahoe Basin should expect 1" to 1.5" of rain.

Even though the snow levels will drop to near 6,000 feet by Monday morning, the bulk of the moisture from the storm will already have passed according to NWS.

Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar California Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort will all be having job fairs at the beginning of November, and new this year, 15- and 16-year-old teens can now be employed.

They are accepting applications for the upcoming 2015-16 winter season as well as having the job fairs.

Historian and author Mark McLaughlin will present his program “Reign of the Storm King” in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Saturday, October 3, at 10:00 a.m.

Location

Right on the heels of Wednesday's historic and meager snowpack measurement, the National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting a chance of snow Sunday, Monday and Tuesday next week. A storm system will drop southeast from the Gulf of Alaska, bringing with it some valley rain and mountain snow Sunday into Tuesday

While the forecast isn't for any significant or measurable snowfall, both Nevada and California can use whatever they can get. Accuweather.com is calling for less than an inch total while NWS has higher hopes.

Here is the NWS forecast for South Lake Tahoe at lake level:

Heavy snow is on its way to central Nevada, prompting a winter storm watch for part of the Silver State.

The winter storm watch in effect from Saturday evening through Monday morning, the National Weather Service reports.

Some details:

•4 to 8 inches of snow in the valleys

•8 to 16 inches of snow in the mountains.

•2 feet of snow locally on the mountains of southeast White Pine County, including Great Basin National Park.

Post by US National Weather Service Elko NV:

"Snow will begin early Sunday morning across White Pine County," the weather service said.

Even though snowfall in South Lake Tahoe was minimal during the most recent storm which is heading out of the region Monday evening, local ski resorts are reporting decent numbers.

It is still snowing at some resorts, but currently Sierra at Tahoe is reporting 20" of snow out of the storm, 16" reported at Heavenly Mountain Resort and Kirkwood is listing 18" of fresh powder.

Recent snowfall and cold temperatures allowed Northstar California Resort to open additional trails and lifts for skiers and riders.

Martis Camp Express, which offers access to the resort’s popular Lookout Mountain, opened today with access to Upper Martis and Washoe trails. Additionally, the Lookout Link lift opened.

Overnight temperatures as cold as 12 degrees created ideal snowmaking conditions, allowing for the additional terrain to open. Tonight’s temperatures are forecast to dip as low as five degrees, which will bring another night of excellent snowmaking weather.

Local riders and skiers headed to the slopes of Sierra-at-Tahoe for their opening day on Friday. The resort opened at noon following the recent storm that left more than 15 inches of fresh snow in the Sierra. Since early season conditions still exist, the resort will operate ten trails accessed by the Grandview Express and Easy Rider Express.

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard and high wind warning along with flood watch starting at 10 p.m. on Wednesday night.

"Significant snowfall" is expected to impact the Sierra with one to three feet of snow possible above 7,000 feet with up to 12 inches down to 6,000 feet. The storm is expected to have snow levels dropping to 5,000 feet Thursday night. The Weather Service says heavier precipitation bands may locally lower snow levels to lake level during the day on Thursday.

Snow is forecast to continue through Friday afternoon.

Though late season storms have helped skiers and boarders enjoy Lake Tahoe resorts a bit longer, the snowpack measured at 38% of normal today during the monthly test at Echo Summit. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR)reported a statewide average of just 32% of average.

Surveyors from DWR trekked to several monitoring stations as they do annually to measure the water content in snow, as well as depth, to try and pinpoint the state's water supply this summer.

Lake Tahoe is one of California’s greatest natural treasures. It is a beauty to behold, with forested mountains surrounding the deep blue shimmering surface. It is famous for many recreational activities- snowboarding, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing, and sunbathing. But the clear blue waters of Tahoe are in trouble. Invasive species, climate change, and sedimentation all threaten the unique ecosystems of the lake.

Thursday's measurement of the Sierra snowpack at Phillips, just west of South Lake Tahoe, shows dismal water content, even with the recent snowfall. While better than the results earlier this month, there is still far too little water in the still scant snowpack according to the Department of Water Resources.