Although there were still 11 days left in January, Squaw Valley proudly sent out a tweet this morning that stated the famed Lake Tahoe ski resort had already recorded the most snow in one month in 45 years.
Squaw Valley has so much snow this month they are referring to it as “Januburied.” The resort reported 212 inches of snow dropping by Jan. 20 (Friday). The old record was set in 1972. The previous post-1972 monthly snow total was 202 inches that fell on Squaw in March 2011.
Squaw had received another 19 inches by 5 a.m. Saturday morning. It’s new January total had increased to 227 inches – which equates to 18 feet,11 inches. For the season, Squaw is reporting 216 inches of snow at its base and a whopping 328 feet at its peak.
“We’re expecting to get 2-3 more feet of snow possible through Monday. This (month) is one for the record books!” said Squaw Valley spokesperson Liesl Kenney.
A nearby neighbor – Alpine Meadows – which is operated by the same group that runs Squaw – also has some staggering snow totals. Alpine has more snow this month than Squaw – 231 inches at its peak. It has received 49 inches of snow over the past week and has season totals of 237 inches (base) and 336 inches at its highest elevation.
Alpine Meadows announced late Saturday that it will be closed Sunday, January 22 due to forecast high winds and unstable snow. Alpine is asking that employees and guests do not come to the resort tomorrow.
The problem for many resorts today, and the next several days, is digging out each morning, contending with high winds, and making terrain available. Squaw High is reporting Saturday that it is operating 10 lifts, accessing 28 trails, including eight that are groomed.
On Saturday morning, Northstar California was reporting 49 inches of snow in the previous three days, following a 19-inch total Friday. Northstar said this morning that 100 percent of its mountain was open.
Kirkwood Mountain, which received 24 inches of new snow Friday and 55 inches over a two-day period, reportedly had six chairlifts spinning today.
Located in South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain received 18 inches of new snow Friday and has 42 inches over the past two days. Heavenly was reporting 91 available runs this morning.
Granlibakken Tahoe, located in Tahoe City, received a foot of new snow by Saturday morning and has 30 inches of snow from the latest storm.
morning and had Mother Nature continues to pound the Sierra range and the snow totals for all Lake Tahoe ski resorts is off the charts for this time of year.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm warning for the Lake Tahoe region through Monday for heavy storms that began Friday. Snow was continuing to fall Saturday and another storm system is expected to follow – Sunday into Monday.
The NWS is predicting that lake level in the Tahoe Basin, upwards of 40 inches of snow are expected through Monday. Winds gusts of 55 mph are forecast for the basin this weekend, and Sierra ridge winds could be as high as 100 mph.
Driving is slow over Interstate 80 and Highway 50 and should be treacherous throughout the weekend, so motorists can expect delays, especially Sunday.
The good news for skiers and snowboarders is the snow will likely end Tuesday evening. Weather forecasters are calling for some sunny days, starting Wednesday and lasting through next weekend.
