snowpack
The 2017 fire season outlook
Submitted by paula on Thu, 05/18/2017 - 8:30am
With one of the biggest winters we have experienced in years and the snowpack level at 200-300 percent of normal, it is expected that the excessive precipitation will likely push the start of the 2017 fire season back a couple months.
“Below normal significant wildland fire potential is expected to develop across northern portions of the Great Basin and far western Nevada in May and June,” reports the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).
However, the low risk scenario will not last forever once the moisture is gone.
Community members to take snapshot of Lake Tahoe water quality after record snowpack
Submitted by paula on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 2:28pm
Event Date:
May 20, 2017 - 9:00am
The local community and visitors will be taking part in the League to Save Lake Tahoe's 17th annual Snapshot Day on Saturday, May 20 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. During this annual citizen science monitoring event, community members will collect water quality samples from dozens of Lake Tahoe’s south shore tributaries.
South Lake Tahoe area rivers and creeks over banks, some flooding in Tahoe Keys
Submitted by admin on Fri, 05/05/2017 - 4:00pm
Above average temperatures combined with an above average, and still deep, snowpack in the Sierra has led to the flooding of the Upper Truckee River, Trout Creek and Cold Creek in South Lake Tahoe. The extra water in the river has also led to slight flooding on Colorado Avenue in the Tahoe Keys.
Squaw Valley attempting to keep one lift open all summer long
Submitted by paula on Wed, 05/03/2017 - 1:45pm
For the first time ever, Squaw Valley will operate past July 4 and is now planning for an "endless season." They will attempt to keep one lift open on Saturdays to take advantage of the over 714 inches of snow that fell this winter.
Final measurement of snow in Sierra shows water-rich snowpack at 190% of normal
Submitted by paula on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 6:23pm
Monday was the final manual snow survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada, and the snowpack is still measured at a healthy 190 percent of the May 1 long-term average of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) which is 14.6 inches. Today's measurement was 27.8 inches.
The survey was conducted by the Department of Water Resources (DWR).
Crews clearing seasonally closed Sierra passes, some opening dates projected
Submitted by paula on Sun, 04/16/2017 - 11:35am
Snow, rocks, boulders, trees and debris are being cleared from roads through the Sierra Nevada that have been closed all winter. Caltrans crews from Districts 9 and 10 are plowing through several feet of snow in some area. While some roads will be opening soon, many have a lot of work to be done before they can open to traffic.
Crews will inspect the road, bridges, culverts to make sure the road is safe for the public before reopening. They will also replace signs that tumbled during the winter.
High winds in South Lake Tahoe; heavy snow and rain on the way
Submitted by paula on Thu, 04/06/2017 - 12:53pm
A late season atmospheric river will bring another significant precipitation event to the Sierra and western Nevada. Near saturated soils and a mostly ripe low to mid elevation snowpack will contribute to increased runoff. This will increase flood potential, especially along creeks and streams, Friday into Saturday. This event isn`t expected to be as strong as storms in January and February but is a significant precipitation event for April.
The winds have arrived in South Lake Tahoe, and three weather related warnings have come with them: wind, snow and flooding.
Lake Tahoe area ski and weather news: The Mountain Resort Report©
Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/04/2017 - 8:32am
Good morning skiers and riders, and if you’re visiting, welcome to Lake Tahoe!
Today is Tuesday, April 4.
Shaping up to be a Mostly Cloudy Tuesday with Spring Conditions… Take your Orange/Yellow/ Rose Tinted Goggles and some rub on Wax… Machine Groomed and Skier Rider packed snow softening with day time temperatures… Don’t forget the Sunscreen! Have Fun & Be Safe!
TODAY’S WEATHER (NWS GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA): Expect Mostly Cloudy Skies. Highs: 50F to 60F. Light winds.
TONIGHT: Mostly Cloudy. Lows: 29F to 39F. Light winds.
Snowpack at Echo Summit measured at 183% of average
Submitted by paula on Thu, 03/30/2017 - 6:20pm
More signs that California is rebounding after five years of drought were evident on Echo Summit Thursday morning as the snowpack measured at 183 percent of average. This snow water equivalent (SWE) reading by the team from the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program was 46.1 inches.
The readings represent 183 percent of the long-term average at the Phillips measuring station near Sierra-at-Tahoe. Statewide, the electronic readings from 95 sites in the Sierra showed the snowpack at 164 percent of average, or 45.8 inches. Average for all of the Sierra Nevada is 27.9 inches
Sierra "phenomenal" snowpack not a record, but water content at 179% of average
Submitted by paula on Wed, 03/01/2017 - 11:59pm
The Sierra Nevada snowpack continues to build during one of the wettest winters in California’s recorded history and this was evident as the monthly snow survey was conducted by the Department of Water Resources at Phillips Station near Sierra-at-Tahoe.
The snow water equivalent (SWE) measured was 179 percent of average, or 43.4 inches.
The 113 inches of snow at Phillips Station contains the fifth-highest March 1 reading of the SWE. In 1969, the record reading was 57.4 inches of snow-water content in 160.9 inches of water.
Lake Tahoe ski resorts extend season; Squaw and Alpine aim to stay open until July 4
Submitted by paula on Wed, 02/22/2017 - 9:16pm
With hundreds of inches of snow covering the mountain of Lake Tahoe, four area ski resorts announced today they will be extending their ski season.
Kirkwood passes the 500" of snow mark; Other Lake Tahoe resorts close behind
Submitted by paula on Mon, 02/20/2017 - 5:32pm
The two feet of snow added to the slopes at Kirkwood Ski Resort this week has pushed their snowpack to 508 inches as of Sunday, and there is still lots more to come.
With another month of winter, Kirkwood still has time to add many more inches to their snowpack, as do all other Sierra Nevada Resorts. Kirkwood had 504 inches of snow in 2012, the last strong winter experienced in the mountains near Lake Tahoe. March is historically a month where snow can reach the same, or higher, levels than January and February.
Lake Tahoe area ski and weather news: The Mountain Resort Report©
Submitted by paula on Thu, 02/16/2017 - 10:22am
Good morning skiers and riders, and if you are visiting, welcome to Lake Tahoe!
Today is February 16.
A WET & WILD DAY AS A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS POSTED! STRONG WINDS ARE AFFECTING THE OPERATION OF UPPER MOUNTAIN LIFTS AT: HEAVENLY, MT ROSE, SIERRA AT TAHOE, KIRKWOOD, SQUAW, ALPINE, SUGAR BOWL, MAMMOTH… DONNER SKI RANCH CLOSED
ALL ROADWAYS IN AROUND LAKE TAHOE HAVE R1 OR R2 CHAIN CONTROLS.
Lake Tahoe area ski and weather news: The Mountain Resort Report©
Submitted by paula on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 11:10am
Good morning skiers and riders, and if you are visiting, welcome to Lake Tahoe!
Today is February 15.
SHAPING UP TO BE A GREAT HUMP DAY FOR MAKING TURNS… GET OUT ON THE MOUNTAIN TODAY BEFORE THE NEXT SERIES OF WEATHER COMES THRU STARTING THIS EVENING AND OVER THE WEEKEND…
TODAY’S WEATHER (NWS GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA): Expect Partly Cloudy Skies in the morning then becoming Mostly Cloudy. Highs: 47F-52F (35F-45F on the Slopes) and Southwest Winds 10-15 mph.
Lake Tahoe area ski and weather news: The Mountain Resort Report©
Submitted by paula on Tue, 02/14/2017 - 9:35am
Good morning skiers and riders, and if you're visiting, welcome to Lake Tahoe!
Today is February 14.
HAPPY ST. VALENTINE’S DAY AND LAKE TAHOE DISCOVERY DAY! ON THIS DAY IN 1844, JOHN C. FREMONT ALONG WITH SCOUT KIT CARSON DISCOVERED A BIG MOUNTAIN LAKE FROM THE TOP OF A PEAK NEAR CARSON PASS…
GET OUT AND DISCOVER RUNS THAT HAVEN’T BEEN ACCESSIBLE FOR A FEW YEARS WITH THIS YEAR’S GREAT SNOWPACK. OFF-PISTE & TREE SKIING ROUTES ARE OPEN. SKI & RIDE WITH A BUDDY. HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE!
Flooding, highway and road closures in South Lake Tahoe and Meyers
Submitted by paula on Thu, 02/09/2017 - 10:23am
11:45 a.m. update: A large boulder has rolled onto Highway 50 near Bridal Veil Falls in the eastbound lane. Be prepared for diverted traffic.
* * *
There are several flooded areas in the South Lake Tahoe and Meyers areas, resulting in some road closures.
As of 9:00 a.m. Thursday, the following roads are experiencing flooding:
Tahoe Keys - State Streets and Tahoe Keys Blvd
Bijou Area - Bill Avenue, Shirley Avenue, Betty Rae Ct, Vanda Lee, Woodbine Avenue
Portions of Glenwood Way
Portions of Pioneer Trail
Portions of lake Tahoe Blvd between the Y and High School
Local Sierra snowpack holding 153% of average water; Tahoe basin at 191% of normal snow
Submitted by paula on Thu, 02/02/2017 - 2:45pm
Measurements of the Sierra snowpack by both California and Nevada water officials have good, but not surprising news: There is well above average amounts of snow and snow water content in the Sierra Nevada, and Lake Tahoe and Truckee basins.
During his monthly trek into the snow at Phillips Station, 15 miles southwest of Lake Tahoe, Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program found 22.1 more inches of water in the snow than what he found January 3.
National focus on South Lake Tahoe's snowpack during Operation Sierra Storm
Submitted by paula on Mon, 01/30/2017 - 2:24pm
The annual television meteorologist's conference, Operation Sierra Storm (OSS), couldn't have happened at a better time to bring the national spotlight to early January's storms fondly nicknamed Snowmageddon and Januburied.
Jim Cantore and Paul Goodloe, leading correspondents at The Weather Channel, both broadcast live from Heavenly Mountain Resort and showcased South Lake Tahoe’s powder-filled ski conditions for two days, eight hours each day during the historic snowfall January 10-13, 2017.
South Lake Tahoe Q & A over snow removal
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/26/2017 - 11:41am
The one constant in Lake Tahoe this season is snow. The City of South Lake Tahoe is responding to several community complaints and questions about how they have, and will be dealing with removing the snow:
1) Concern – City has rotary blowers sitting idle at the corporation yard.
What a difference a week makes!
Submitted by paula on Fri, 01/13/2017 - 11:11pm
As 2017 started, the Lake Tahoe basin and the rest of the Sierra Nevada were looking at a less than spectacular snowpack.
Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program, measured the snow at Phillips (near Sierra-at-Tahoe) on January 3 and found the snow water equivalent of the snow at that location at 53 percent of normal.
Today, the Sierra snowpack is between 195-205 percent of average and the water content is 163 percent of average.
With nine to 15-feet of snow falling in upper elevations, and up to eight feet at lake level, things have turned around.
Snow making a comeback in Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Tue, 01/10/2017 - 5:20pm
Snow. You know, that frozen, fluffy white stuff that covers the mountains around Lake Tahoe? With less than stellar snowpacks over the last several winters, many might have forgotten what snowstorms really could look like in South Lake Tahoe. This week, however, memories are being refreshed with a blizzard impacting the Sierra Nevada that could bring up to seven feet of snow to the lake.
Sierra snowpack's water content Is 53% below average
Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/03/2017 - 4:51pm
South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - The weekend's heavy snowfall didn't do enough to bring good news during Tuesday's monthly manual snowpack survey at Phillips Station.
Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program, led a media tour on January 3, 2017 to their normal spot near the turnoff to Sierra-at-Tahoe and found a snow water equivalent of six inches, which is 5.3 inches less that the average early-January total of 11.3 inches, 53 percent of normal.
New Stanford coach Jerod Haase built success, one floor burn at a time
Submitted by paula on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 10:48pm
Hidden among the pines in South Lake Tahoe is a backyard basketball half-court with ax marks on the free throw line and the area under the rim. Crime clues, perhaps?
Hardly. They’re the handiwork of a young man who three decades ago wouldn’t stop practicing his foul shots, come hell or high snowpack.
In the winter, Jerod Haase would shovel the snow off the court, but if it drifted up to 3 or 4 feet — “which it did a lot,” he says — he’d just shovel the free-throw line and the area beneath the hoop. The sun might melt some of the snow, but it would freeze back over into a layer of ice.
Lake Tahoe at natural rim for first time since April
Submitted by paula on Mon, 09/12/2016 - 9:48pm
On April 9, 2016, Lake Tahoe reached its natural rim for the first time in ten months after a wet winter gave much needed water to the lake. Since then the melting snowpack was enough to keep water levels above its natural rim, that is, until today.
The natural rim is 6,223 feet.
There is 20-50 percent chance of rain in the area through Wednesday, but rainfall amounts aren't forecast to be measurable.
Opinion: Another historic turning point for Tahoe this Summit
Submitted by paula on Thu, 08/18/2016 - 10:45am
Lake Tahoe was at a crossroads in 1997. The lake’s famous water clarity, once measuring 100 feet, was declining year after year because of stormwater pollution from roads and developed areas and erosion from streams damaged by logging and cattle grazing.
Working to protect our shoreline and enhance recreation access
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/21/2016 - 4:50pm
Millions of people visit our region each year, and the shoreline is where most of them go to enjoy the beauty and the cold, famously clear water of Lake Tahoe.
The shoreline is also where a challenging mix of planning issues converge: Protecting the environment and our lake’s awe-inspiring scenery, managing recreation access, and respecting private property rights.
Recovery from snowpack drought to take at least four years
Submitted by paula on Tue, 06/21/2016 - 9:13pm
Even though the winter of 2016 brought a strong El Nino, it wasn't enough to recover from the previous years' dismal snowpacks.
In a report released by a team of researchers led by UCLA, the snow water equivalent (SWE) seen in 2015, when added to the previous three years of drought, was the worst seen in 1,200 years.
Since the SWE in the Sierra snowpack directly affects the state, the scientists also said that, even if the Sierra has average snowpacks, it will take
California until at least 2019 to recover.
Think First - Keep Tahoe Fire Safe
Submitted by paula on Wed, 06/15/2016 - 5:25pm
June is wildfire awareness month at Lake Tahoe. And nine years later, the 2007 Angora Fire remains a vivid remember that wildfire is one of the greatest threats facing our environment, our homes, and our businesses. We must prepare accordingly.
Our region continues to take important steps to manage that wildfire threat, improve the health of our forests, and create fire adapted communities that are prepared for the next wildfire at Tahoe. But there is more work to do.
Connect for a Cause: Let's make Tahoe cool again
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 04/19/2016 - 5:01pm
Event Date:
May 12, 2016 - 5:00pm Join the Tahoe Chamber for a sustainability forum presented by the Citizen's Climate Lobby. Learn about the state of our snowpack, lake, and economy as well as global environmental changes.
This won't be any ordinary forum as you should leave feeling empowered to make a difference, understand what businesses are doing in Tahoe to make climate-conscious changes, and network with decision makers in the community.
Location
The Loft Tahoe - Heavenly Village
1001 Heavenly Village Way
South Lake Tahoe, CA
United States
38° 57' 19.9008" N, 119° 56' 35.3796" W
See map: Google Maps
Lake Tahoe expected to rise another 1.2 feet this summer
Submitted by paula on Thu, 04/14/2016 - 2:52pm
When Lake Tahoe reached its natural rim on April 9, it was the first time in 300 days that it had done so. Water supply forecasters now expect the lake to rise another 1.2 feet this summer (0.8 feet on the low end to almost 1.9 feet on the high end).
Water supply forecasts are made by the US National Weather Service California Nevada River Forecast Center Forecast Center in coordination with the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
Sierra snowpack ends season at 97% of average
Submitted by paula on Wed, 03/30/2016 - 5:04pm
A "Miracle March" never materialized in the Sierra Nevada in 2016 and current snowpack shows that it would have been necessary to get totals above average, something needed to combat the drought in California.
In the last official snow survey of the year at Phillips Station near Sierra-at-Tahoe, the snow was 58.4 inches deep with a water content of 26 inches, just 97 percent of the long-term average in that location.
“While for many parts of the state there will be both significant gains in both reservoir storage and stream flow, the effects of previous dry years will
South Lake Tahoe ski, snowboard and weather report for Sunday
Submitted by paula on Sun, 03/27/2016 - 7:55am
The following is the ski, snowboard and weather report for Sunday, March 27, 2016 for South Lake Tahoe, brought to you by Lake Tahoe SkiBum.
Lake Wind Advisory from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday.
Weather - South Lake Tahoe will have a high today of 53 and a low tonight of
Latest storm adds needed water to Lake Tahoe and California
Submitted by paula on Wed, 03/23/2016 - 8:56am
The latest storms to hit the Sierra and Lake Tahoe kept wter content in the snowpack close to average, with some areas of California going above average in the precipitation they've received.
Officials from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) will be making their last monthly snowpack measurement near Sierra-at-Tahoe next week, but electronic readings taken March 22, 2016 show the snowpack is at 92 percent of average.
Most of the ski resorts around the lake, while still below average snowpack, are experiencing the best measured snow in a few years.
March storms bring Sierra snowpack close to average
Submitted by paula on Mon, 03/14/2016 - 11:02am
The storms that hit the Lake Tahoe Basin over the last four days left behind much needed snow, bringing the season totals close to average.
The Sierra snowpack as of Monday, March 14, 2016 is at 92 percent of normal, with the central Sierra measurement at 94 percent.
Ski resorts around the lake are boasting measured snowfall very close to average as well. A couple of more storms are needed to bring most of the resorts to average though Northstar and Mt. Rose resorts are already there.
New storm headed to Lake Tahoe: One foot of snow possible at lake level
Submitted by paula on Thu, 03/10/2016 - 10:01pm
Could this be a "Miracle March?" With almost two feet of new snow added to ski resorts last weekend, and another two feet expected this weekend, signs are pointing to getting well above average on the Sierra snowpack totals. The precipitation is there, but all depends on the temperature.
The National Weather Service in Reno today said, "Higher confidence this afternoon with potent winter storm expected to arrive Saturday with rain, snow and wind this weekend into Monday morning."
Sierra snowpack falls to 83% of average; State looking at continued drought
Submitted by paula on Tue, 03/01/2016 - 6:37pm
“Mother Nature is not living up to predictions by some that a ‘Godzilla’ El Niño would produce much more precipitation than usual this winter,” said California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Director Mark Cowin. “We need conservation as much as ever.”
Long awaited storm due to hit Lake Tahoe this weekend
Submitted by paula on Mon, 02/29/2016 - 10:49pm
A fairly dry February didn't add much needed water to the Sierra snowpack, but a storm system heading to the Lake Tahoe this weekend may help make up the deficit.
Low pressure will brush by the region and produce gusty winds on Tuesday afternoon and evening. A Lake Wind Advisory is in effect for both Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Southwest winds from 15-25 mph are expected with gusts up to 40 mph.
Snowpack dissipating under sunny, warm skies in the Sierra
Submitted by paula on Sat, 02/13/2016 - 7:35pm
Just 12 days ago the Sierra Snow Water Equivalent was 130 percent of average. Today, that number has fallen to 100 percent.
Temperatures have above normal all week, with clear and sunny skies contributing to a snowpack loss of four to six inches on average at the Lake Tahoe area snow sensor stations.
Record temperatures forecast for South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Tue, 02/09/2016 - 9:36am
With a snowpack 130% of average, the warm temperatures which are forecast this week in South Lake Tahoe aren't worrying those watching the drought situation, yet.
A high pressure system over the west coast will bring record, or near record, temperatures up and down the coast with Sacramento in the 70s and Los Angeles near 90. Reno will be in the 60s.
The long range forecast from accuweather.com calls for wet weather back again soon. One system next week could bring rain, but stronger chances of rain and snow over the last two weeks of the month.
Plenty of sunshine this week in South Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Sun, 02/07/2016 - 10:52am
Spring-like forecast for the Lake Tahoe basin this week with a chance of precipitation over the weekend. It's going to be a warm week ahead!
Temperatures will be close to record highs and well above seasonal averages. Periods of warmth in the middle of winter are not uncommon for the Sierra and Western Nevada.
In the long-range forecast, temperatures will trend back to colder and protect the snowpack.
Forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today - Sunny, with a high near 47. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight - Clear, with a low around 18. East wind around 5 mph.
Sierra snowpack holding 130% more water than average
Submitted by paula on Wed, 02/03/2016 - 12:20am
Recent heavy rains and snow have added much needed water to the Sierra Nevada snowpack, bringing the snow water equivalent at Phillips Station to 25.4 inches, 130 percent of the February 1 average.
Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program, led the monthly media-oriented manual snow survey near Sierra-at-Tahoe on Wednesday, leading the group to the measuring location which recorded a snow depth of 76.2 inches.
Sierra snowpack is faring better than any January since 2011
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/28/2016 - 7:50pm
It is still too early to know whether enough precipitation will have fallen by the end of winter's wet season to significantly impact the drought, but, snowpack and reservoir storage has benefited from recent storms.
Officials from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) will be making their monthly snowpack measurement near Sierra-at-Tahoe on Tuesday, February 2, but electronic readings taken on January 28 show the snowpack is at 116 percent of average. The statewide water content of 18.7 inches is greater now than on any January 26 since 2011.
Sierra snow conditions create rare avalanche problem
Submitted by paula on Fri, 01/15/2016 - 6:34pm
Unusual snowpack conditions in the Sierra Nevada are contributing to a type of avalanche problem that in the past decade has rarely been widespread in the region.
That’s according to the Sierra Avalanche Center, a non-profit organization that partners with the U.S. Forest Service to observe and analyze snow conditions in the Lake Tahoe area and beyond.
“There could be avalanches in places that have never seen avalanches before,” said Brandon Schwartz, lead forecaster for the center.
Despite snow, Tahoe’s climate still changing
Submitted by paula on Thu, 01/14/2016 - 1:38pm
The New Year is getting off to a phenomenal start with snow falling at Lake Tahoe. It seems long ago since we’ve had snow around the lake, but as California and Nevada continue to grapple with four years of drought and water shortages, the snow couldn’t be falling at a better time.
El Nino making snow now, but climate change 'loads dice' for warmer future winters
Submitted by paula on Fri, 01/08/2016 - 9:36pm
he El Niño weather pattern that's fueling a snowy start to 2016 for the Lake Tahoe region is among the strongest on record and likely to continue bringing storms to the region.
But the long-term climate prognosis for the Sierra Nevada and the planet as a whole is more troubling with rising global temperatures threatening to make cold, snowy winters less likely in the future.
That was the message two climate scientists delivered Friday to an audience of meteorologists gathered for a conference at Lake Tahoe.
Sierra snowpack at an encouraging 136% of average
Submitted by paula on Wed, 12/30/2015 - 3:18pm
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.
Snowfall totals in South Lake Tahoe already surpass winter of 2014
Submitted by paula on Fri, 12/25/2015 - 4:02pm
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.
Storm from the Pacific to bring snow and rain to Lake Tahoe
Submitted by paula on Thu, 12/17/2015 - 9:27am
A pattern change begins today as the Pacific storm track continues to slip southward. Areas north of the Sacramento region should see some light precipitation Thursday with increasing rain and mountain snow on Friday. By Friday night and Saturday, all of northern California will be shifting into a wetter pattern with rain or mountain snow expected during parts of every day through at least Christmas day next Friday.
In the graphic in this story, South Tahoe Now created a comparison of the last four years on December 16 from NASA images of the snowpack.
Forecast: Lake Tahoe shouldn't expect benefit of a strong El Niño
Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/15/2015 - 11:14pm
A strong El Niño is predicted to help ease drought conditions in some, but not all of California. The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) released their latest seasonal weather assessment on Thursday, and news isn't very good for the Lake Tahoe Basin.
2015 State of the Lake report released: A bluer lake is from reduced algae
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/23/2015 - 9:23pm
Scientists have determined that Lake Tahoe’s iconic blueness is most strongly related to algae, not clarity. In a report released today from the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, researchers found the lower the algal concentration, the bluer the lake.
In the “Tahoe: State of the Lake Report 2015” report, research shows clarity is controlled by sediment. Blueness is controlled by algal concentration, which in turn is driven by the level of nutrients available to the algae.
