0530 temp. at 6350′ in Carnelian Bay: 33.3 deg. w/90% RH

New snow in past 24 hrs: trace

12/13-12/14 total snowfall at 6350′ in Carnelian Bay: 17″

Backcountry obs:

The Fri / Sat (12/13-14) storm really over delivered dropping nearly a foot and a half on the north shore and up to 2-3′ for areas along the crest. Snow fell consistently throughout the event, with hours-long periods of heavy snowfall. Strong winds accompanied the storm, creating wind sculpted surfaces, even in sheltered zones below treeline.

Rain never came to lake level on Sat as temps hovered at or just below freezing through the warmest part of the storm. This translated to far higher snow totals than expected. And while the storm remained cold, the snow that fell was heavy, dense Sierra cement that the high winds distributed around nooks and crannies. Coverage has vastly improved down to 7000′, putting zones previously too bony to open up and lay into turns, now into play.

Touring in the Rose zone on 12/15 revealed at least 2′ of new, wind-affected snow with a few density changes throughout the new snow column. By dawn, winds had slackened and shifted to the NW, creating some turnable, yet fun wind buff near ridgetops and on open bowls. On E aspects, a few reactive wind slabs failed with ski cuts, yet did not extend beyond a few feet off the ridgeline. Interestingly enough, I didn’t observe any natural avalanches from the storm, despite the windspread faceted snow from late last week. Have the weaknesses healed or does the white dragon lurk below? Time will tell.

Weather and forecast thoughts:

Today (12/16) a quick, weak storm will swing through Tahoe during the daylight hours, starting as snow for most areas and finishing with a rain/snow mix around the lake. Snow levels should climb to around 7000′ before precip moves out in the early evening. Expect a dense 2-6″ above 7000′ with negligible slush to liquid amounts around the lake. Highs will be in the upper 30s, with lower 30s in the backcountry. Tonight will bring lows in the 20s on the mountains and temps near or just below freezing around 6000′.

Milder air and calm conditions return for the rest of the week with mainly sunny skies and highs in the mid-upper 40s, lows in the lower 30s around the lake. Inversions may develop again at night bringing low clouds and freezing fog to valleys and depressions. This regime will be mild for the backcountry as well with highs above freezing and lows just at or below freezing. The drier airmass and weak Dec. sun will likely keep snow surfaces soft and frozen on cooler, shady aspects.

Models indicate the return to an active pattern starting next weekend with a warm system possibly affecting Tahoe on Saturday and maybe something a bit colder and more robust around Christmas.