Back to fair, dry and windy
January 31, 2011 by Tahoe Loco
Filed under Weather Geek
MONDAY JANUARY 31… 4:56 AM….
Sunday was a gorgeous day in Tahoe — 10 to 12 inches of light fluffy powder, some lingering snow showers and some long stretches of sunshine. It does not get much better than that, and after a three-week drought, it was a welcome sight.
Unfortunately, it was also a fleeting sight, and now we are back to what’s become the new normal for this time of year.
The ridge of high pressure over the Eastern Pacific is strengthening again, and we can expect mostly fair skies for the next week or so, at least. A cold blast of arctic air will keep things chilly for a few days this week, and northern winds will make it feel even colder, especially Tuesday and Wednesday. Then things will start warming up again, and by the weekend we will will likely be back to where we were for most of January.
The longer term forecast for the middle of February is still looking good for Tahoe snow lovers. But that is still more than 10 days off, and in the meantime, it looks like we will be mostly dry.
Stay tuned for details as conditions change.
Forecast Highs
Tahoe City
Monday 34
Tuesday 29
Wednesday 29
At 7000 feet
Monday 34
Tuesday 34
Wednesday 35
Regional radar with rain/snow mix:
9
8 inches of new snow, more coming
January 30, 2011 by Tahoe Loco
Filed under Weather Geek
SUNDAY JANUARY 30… 6:56 AM….
FINALLY!
We’ve received a good solid 8 inches of snow overnight and it is still snowing here at the Geek’s headquarters at 7000 feet on the north side of Tahoe. The snow started after midnight but has been falling at a rate of more than an inch per hour since then.
With more snow on the way for the rest of the morning, we should have no trouble topping ten inches of fresh, with a foot likely higher up. This is some fairly cold, dry powder as well. So this is shaping up to be a beautiful day.
The snow should taper to showers around midday and be mostly done this afternoon, with a few isolated showers continuing into the evening. By Monday skies will be clearing — it could be a gorgeous bluebird powder day.
North winds on Tuesday will plunge temperatures to about 10 degrees below normal, and Wednesday should be cold as well. There’s a chance of precip from an inside slider storm riding the backside of the Pacific ridge of high pressure. But at this point it does not look like much. Then things will begin to warm up going into next weekend.
Another storm next weekend is currently forecast to track anywhere from the eastern Sierra to the western edge of the Rockies, so we will keep our eye on that one.
Meanwhile, many signs are beginning to point toward the long term change in the pattern we’ve been hoping for. Still at least ten days away, but it should be coming.
Stay tuned for details as conditions change.
Forecast Highs
Tahoe City
Sunday 30
Monday 32
Tuesday 29
At 7000 feet
Sunday 32
Monday 36
Tuesday 31
Regional radar with rain/snow mix:
9
In the backcountry near Bridgeport
January 29, 2011 by Tahoe Loco
Filed under Extreme Tahoe
This photo is from Mike Schwartz at the Backcountry store in Truckee. Pictured is Michael Decker at Victoria Peak in Big Slide Canyon near Bridgeport. Mike promises some more trip reports soon. Stay tuned!