The first of three snow storms over a seven-day period arrived better than anticipated for several Tahoe ski resorts.
The storm, which began Friday afternoon (Jan. 22) and was sporadic on Saturday, was expected to produce 1-3 inches to the Tahoe ski resorts. However, Sugar Bowl received the most snow with 7 inches, followed by 5 inches each for Homewood and Boreal.
Another storm arrives Sunday, but the big news will likely be the snow that falls between Tuesday night and last possibly into Thursday. According to Bryan Allegretto, California Snow Forecaster for OpenSnow.com, the storm could dump between 3-5 feet, making it easily the largest storm of the 2020-21 ski season.
CHECK OUT THE TAHOE SNOW REPORT BELOW.
SQUAW, ALPINE SURPASS 100-INCH MARK: The 4 inches of fresh snow Saturday allowed Squaw Valley to up its season total to 107 inches, the most among Tahoe ski resorts. Alpine Meadows is the only other resort in triple figures with 104 inches this season. Boreal has 98 inches for the season and Sugar Bowl has 94.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno, snow returns to Tahoe ski resorts six times over the week-long period. Not only will it snow, it could snow big time starting by the middle of next week.
Although there is no definitive forecast at this time, one weather model shows a huge storm that would be measured in feet, while another forecast is less impressive. The more optimistic forecast says the midweek snowfall could be measured in feet – not inches!
“It has the potential to be the best storm of the winter so far,” says NWS meteorologist Shane Snyder. “The storms are getting progressively stronger between Friday and next Thursday. There are three waves in there.”
Although most Tahoe ski resorts are offering good overall snow coverage and have many lifts operating on a daily basis, it’s been a disappointing season for snowfall. That was evident in early January when the first snowpack survey of the season took place prior near South Lake Tahoe.
The statewide snowpack was at 52% of median, but California Department of Water Resources officials at Phillips Station near Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort measured it to be 93% in that location. Surveys have been conducted at Phillips Station since 1941.
SUNDAY-MONDAY SYSTEM: According to Allegretto, there should be light snow starting Sunday afternoon, with snow showers moving in across the Tahoe basin through the evening.
“This is another cold system dropping down the coast with not a lot of moisture,” writes Allegretto. “The southern Sierra is likely favored for the highest snowfall. The snow showers should linger through Monday and possibly a few into Monday night before we clear out by Tuesday morning.”
BIG STORM AHEAD? Allegretto says if this system can pick up significant moisture, sit near the coast and direct the moisture to the Tahoe region, and snow levels stay low, it has the ingredients for sizable snow totals.
“It’s picking up a lot of moisture off the Pacific,” Snyder said. “That one has the chance to produce a lot more and the potential to drop several feet of snow in the Sierra.”
TAHOE SNOW REPORT (reported Jan. 23)
- Sugar Bowl: 7 inches
- Boreal: 5 inches
- Homewood: 5 inches
- Squaw Valley: 4 inches
- Alpine Meadows: 4 inches
- Kirkwood: 3 inches
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 3 inches
- Tahoe Donner: 3 inches
- Soda Springs: 3 inches
- Diamond Peak: 2 inches
- Northstar: 2 inches
- Heavenly: 2 inches
- Mt. Rose: 1 inch
