A mild snow storm Tuesday was good to several Tahoe ski resorts, while others weren’t as fortunate, receiving absolutely zero snow.
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows was among the happy recipients, waking up Wednesday morning (Jan. 22) to 6 inches of new snow for skiing and snowboarding.
The half-foot of snow placed Squaw Valley closer to the 200-inch mark for the season. It currently has the most snow among Tahoe ski resorts for the 2019-20 season with 196 inches. Alpine Meadows is fourth with 187 inches.
SEE TAHOE SNOW REPORT BELOW
Sierra-at-Tahoe received 4 inches of new snow and is second among Tahoe ski resorts with 192 inches for the season. Sugar Bowl also got 4 inches by Wednesday morning. Getting zero snowfall were Heavenly, Boreal, Mt. Rose, Soda Springs and Homewood.
The snow was slow to move in Tuesday, arriving by late morning. Most of the snow fell west of the lake, along the crest. The heaviest snow fell from Sugar Bowl south to Sierra-at-Tahoe, where the ski resorts along the crest reported 4-6 inches of new snow at their summits.
EXTENDED FORECAST: Snow is being predicted for several days this week, although the mild storms are not expected to yield large amounts.
According to Bryan Allegretto, OpenSnow California Snow Forecaster, a high pressure begins to build Wednesday with drier weather into Thursday. A weak system may bring rain and snow showers Thursday evening, with snow levels around 7,500-8,000 feet. Only an inch or two of snow is expected at upper elevations.
Allegretto says Saturday evening into Sunday a moderate storm brings both rain and snow to the Lake Tahoe region. Snow levels may start around 8,000 feet before falling to near lake level Sunday morning.
“We could see 3-10 inches of snow on the mountains by Monday morning,” Allegretto predicts.
The week of the Jan. 27 could start with a weak system and snow showers Monday. Another weak storm is possible for Tuesday, followed by a drier pattern for the end of the month into February.
SNOW REPORT (snow today; season totals)
- Squaw Valley: 6-196 inches
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 4-192 inches
- Northstar California: 3-189 inches
- Alpine Meadows: 6–187 inches
- Boreal Mountain: 0-182 inches
- Sugar Bowl: 4-181 inches
- Kirkwood Mountain: 1-181 inches
- Soda Springs: 0-178 inches
- Heavenly Mountain: 1-175 inches
- Mt. Rose: 0-170 inches
- Homewood Mountain: 0-156 inches
- Tahoe Donner: 2-111
- Diamond Peak: 1-109 inches
