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Showing posts from April, 2018

Final Two Storms, Then High Pressure and Warm Weather

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We have two fairly weak systems coming in. If you read our last post, nothing has changed. The timing is still right on as one system comes in this afternoon through Monday and a much weaker system will bring in more cold air late Wednesday. After that last system, high pressure moves in off the coast, which will bring much drier and warmer conditions to the area. So if you are impatiently waiting for a little warmth, that will begin next Friday. Between now and then, expect unsettled conditions with below average temperatures. Once the ridge of high pressure moves in, we see an extended dry and warm period for the entire Tahoe region. High Pressure Sets up for Next Weekend When will the storm machine get cranking again? Well, we are pretty late in the year, but we know that winter is usually not over until the middle of June, despite pockets of summer being sprinkled in. Stay Tuned ...

4 Small to Moderate Storms Over the Next 10 Days

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We are tracking four storms over the next 10 days. Here is what we are seeing: Tuesday Afternoon 4/10 - This is the smallest of the storms and barely qualifies. However it will give our persistent ridge a swift kick in the you know what. Any precip that does fall below 8,000 feet, will be rain. Late Wednesday 4/11 - Larger storm that will have some valley spill over effect. Snow levels will start at around 7,500 feet and rapidly fall all the way to the valley floor. It will feel like winter around here come Thursday. Sunday Afternoon 4/15 - Temperatures begin to recover Friday and Saturday, then another storm comes down from the north. As the cold front pushes through, Monday and Tuesday will again feel like winter. Wednesday Evening April 18th - Another cold storm from the north. This will push through and temps will plummet again. This should have some valley spill over as well. As cold front comes through, snow levels will drop to about 6,000 feet or possibly even...

What a Mess! 11,000 Foot Snow Levels + Heavy Precip = Major Flood Risk

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We have an excellent snow pack in the Sierra. Ideally, we would like that to slowly melt away. However, we have a major storm coming in, bringing with it tropical rains that will push snow levels over 10,000 feet for most of the event. If you are one of those people that are scared to death of drought, then you will love this: When we reach April, the rainy season is mostly behind us. Yes, in the past we have seen storms in April, but not like this, not that I can remember. We are talking about 10+ inches of rain for parts of Northern California, 4-6 inches for the Carson Range, 2 inches for the leeward foothills and perhaps an inch in the valley. Snow levels for most of this event will stay above 10,000 feet. Not until the very end will some colder air get forced in and bring snow levels down, but by then most of the rain will have fallen. With all that moisture falling in the mountains melting tons of snow it only has one place to go; DOWN. If you live in a flood prone ...

Strong, Warm Spring Storm on tap for Friday, Saturday

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A strong storm is headed our way. This storm does appear to be the first and strongest in a series of storms that will change the pattern back to a wet, windy and eventually chilly trend. At it's peak, which will be around Saturday @ noon the storm looks like this: We will start to see a change on late Thursday and then a few waves of moisture come in finally followed by the main brunt of the storm. Snow levels for this event will be very high. I am guessing most Tahoe resorts will see all rain as the snow levels come in above 10,000 feet and remain there for most of the event. When the cold air finally makes its way down, the moisture will have mostly exited the area. This will definitely bring flood risk to our area and some rain, as much as 1/2 inch is coming to the leeward valleys. Check with the NWS if you live in flood prone areas. Temperatures will recover quickly on Sunday and Monday ahead of the next storm. The next storm shows up on Tuesday and will be much...