Will that much-needed big storm hit Tahoe ski resorts this week? Hopefully so.
After several potential big storms this season elicited lackluster snow totals, this week’s weather report looks extremely promising in adding to under-average snow totals for the 2023-34 ski season thus far. The Tahoe Basin has been experiencing freakishly dry and warm weather. (See the latest Department of Water Resources (DWR) report below).
Following a mostly dry December, Tahoe ski resorts have seen some decent totals during a wet January. However, many storms have been warmer than average, producing rain rather than snow at lower elevations.
The National Weather Service (NWS) says this week’s storm could bring more than 2 feet and possibly up to 4 feet at higher elevations. The storm will be characterized by strong and gusty winds, followed by mountain snow and valley rain showers. After a dry Saturday, a stronger storm is expected to arrive Sunday (Feb. 3) with snow continuing into Tuesday.
A Winter Weather Watch is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning for mountainous areas. Heavy snowfall is expected in higher elevations of the Sierra, leading to travel disruptions and potential road closures. Snow levels will initially be around 7,000 to 7,500 feet, with snowfall rates potentially reaching 1-2 inches per hour above 7,000 feet.
TAHOE SEASON SNOW TOTALS: Heading into Wednesday (Jan. 31), Sugar Bowl had the most snow among Tahoe ski resorts (measured at the summit) with 156 inches, which is 199 inches below last year’s total. Seven other Tahoe ski resorts have exceeded the 100-inch mark this season. (See resort season totals below)
This year’s totals are far below the snow totals of the epic 2022-23 season. On Jan. 26, 2023, six of the Top-10 U.S. snow resort totals were at Tahoe ski resorts. Mammoth Mountain topped the U.S. list with a whopping 510 inches.
No. 6 on the Top-10 list last year was Sierra-at-Tahoe with 377 inches. Other totals from a year ago were Kirkwood (376), Palisades Tahoe (366), Sugar Bowl (355), while Northstar and Mt Rose shared the No. 10 slot with 336 inches.
LATEST SNOW SURVEY: The Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted its second snow survey of the season Tuesday (Jan. 30) and the overall results remained disappointing.
The manual survey at Phillips Station (near Sierra-at-Tahoe) recorded 29 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 10 inches, which is 58% of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast.
Today’s results reflect a modest increase in the snowpack since Jan. 1. However, the overall conditions are still far below normal. One year ago, the snowpack statewide was an amazing 7 feet and 214% of average on Feb. 1.
“This year’s El Niño has delivered below average precipitation and an even smaller snowpack,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Californians must prepare for all possible conditions during the remaining months of the rainy season.”
TAHOE SEASON SNOW TOTALS (Jan. 31)
- Sugar Bowl: 156 inches
- Boreal: 132 inches
- Mt. Rose: 129 inches
- Soda Springs: 128 inches
- Palisades Tahoe: 126 inches
- Kirkwood: 116 inches
- Northstar: 104 inches
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 102 inches
- Heavenly: 68 inches
- Diamond Peak: 54 inches
- Homewood: 49 inches
- Granlibakken: NA
- Tahoe Donner: NA
