Leap Day Blizzard California

[Tennessee]

I’m a weather geek and this current blizzard in the Sierra has me so enthralled. Any updates from Tahoe or Mammoth divas? I think there is a ski Talk meet-up that is supposed to be happening right now. I have seen that Alpine and Homewood are closed and Northstar and Palisades and Mammoth have only a few lower slopes open. What is it like? Is it crazy blowing and dumping? I do sincerely hope that everyone stays safe out there. If you’re stuck at home and want to “talk”, I would love to hear what’s happening.

 

[Jilly]

SkiTalk has an alternate gathering for today. I have a friend at Mt. Bachelor and its bad up there too.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

It is CRAZY blowing and dumping.

My son lives in South Lake Tahoe. En route home from stocking up on everything in NV yesterday morning, the wind blew off (and damaged) his truck tonneau cover. Several people are gathered (for warmth/comfort?) where he lives, and several of them will be driving trucks with plows on residential streets and driveways. He says it has to be redone every 2-3 hours at this point. The storm is predicted to howl through Monday. Will post updates or pics as I receive them.

 

[Jenny]

I was commenting last night that a forecast of 4 - 12 feet leaves a LOT of room for the meteorologists. Our typical forecast here is inches, not feet! Can't even imagine how you prepare for that.

 

[RachelV]

Tahoe is always really variable between snow amounts at lake level vs up high, so I think that accounts for a lot of the 4'-12' range.

Here's how the OpenSnow guy does the Tahoe forecasts, for example:

 

[RachelV]

But yes! This storm is bonkers. Will be pretty interesting to see how everything shakes out. Hope the towns can keep up with the snowfall in a reasonable way.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Sierra-at-Tahoe preemptively made the call to not open today, followed by others.

Big problem with Kirkwood is SR88, the main road to it, and how quickly it deteriorates.

I think the main focus throughout this storm will be road clearing, especially given the gale-force winds that will create copious drifting.

 

[Tennessee]

I’ve been on SkiTalk and looks like they are all hunkering down. No skiing today or tomorrow for sure.

 

[santacruz skier]

Tahoe is always really variable between snow amounts at lake level vs up high, so I think that accounts for a lot of the 4'-12' range.

Here's how the OpenSnow guy does the Tahoe forecasts, for example:

View attachment 22626

I've been paying attention to Bryan Allegretto for years.....

 

[santacruz skier]

Sierra-at-Tahoe preemptively made the call to not open today, followed by others.

Big problem with Kirkwood is SR88, the main road to it, and how quickly it deteriorates.

I think the main focus throughout this storm will be road clearing, especially given the gale-force winds that will create copious drifting.

Saw Northstar and Heavenly have SOME lifts operating. Northstar doesn't get the wind that other resorts get, but Heavenly does...

 

[Lmk92]

Meanwhile in the mid Atlantic, resorts are announcing closing dates. It's a feast or famine kind of a year

 

[Christy]

Yosemite is having all visitors leave by noon and expects to be closed through the weekend at the least. Sequoia is kicking people out by 6 today. So glad the Sierras and especially one of my fave parks (Sequoia/Kings Canyon) are getting more snow.

 

[Tennessee]

This system has been named Winter Storm Orzelle by The Weather Channel

 

[Karenfrances]

Sugar Bowl "Powder Cam" is currently showing 23 inches.

We may need to rethink our spring break plans for the end of the month ....

 

[beane]

my husband and eldest are there (tahoe city). He is reporting 3' but based on the photos/videos I think that's an overestimate..

 

[MaineSkiLady]

My son reports about 4 feet where he lives in South Lake, about 3/4 mile from lake. Hard to really tell due to copious drifting. Winds howling, snow blowing sideways. And another system due mid-week. And his power is now out. Yikes.

 

[santacruz skier]

My son reports about 4 feet where he lives in South Lake, about 3/4 mile from lake. Hard to really tell due to copious drifting. Winds howling, snow blowing sideways. And another system due mid-week. And his power is now out. Yikes.

And I'll be in SLT for a week beginning March 9!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

And I'll be in SLT for a week beginning March 9!

Coming up! You'll have plenty of snow

 

[santacruz skier]

Yes indeed. I have a timeshare across the street from the Heavenly gondola...