0400 conditions at 6350′ in Carnelian Bay: 33.1 deg w/ 83% RH. Light flurries and no accumulation

0530 conditions at 8650’ in Mt. Rose backcountry: 25 deg mod snow. Gusty winds. 1-2″ new snow overnight.

0630 conditions at 9800′ in Mt. Rose backcountry: 22.9 deg with fog and moderate snow

Backcountry obs:

Conditions have vastly improved since 12/23 with the Christmas Eve storm bringing anywhere from 6-8″ of new snow atop the 12/23 rain crust. Gusty winds, moderate snow and low visibility greeted the dawn of Boxing Day 2024. The winds and new snow have reset most surfaces in the backcountry with only wind-scoured areas hosting firm surfaces.

Most areas below treeline hold a soft, yet thick and grabby 6-8″ of fresh snow sitting atop the 12/23 rain crust. However, the top 1-2″ of new snow is noticeably denser and of higher water content. This layer has been compressed by the wind and forms a grabby, hollow wind board resting atop the softer Christmas Eve snow.

The result is soft new snow and breakable windboard that skis sluggishly. Warm snow wax on the sticks, an assertive pop to your turn, and a steeper line will all help add giggle to today’s descents, and those of the next few days as conditions don’t look get substantially colder anytime soon.

Weather and forecast thoughts:

A procession of mild, mediocre storms off the Pacific continues to line up to greet the Tahoe Sierra today through the coming weekend. While each system will yield modest rain/snow amounts to the snowpack, gains will mainly be confined to zones above 8000′ as the storms trend progressively warmer through the coming weekend and into the final days of 2024. Models show two main pulses of energy late Thurs – Fri (12/26-27), and then again on Sun – Mon AM(12/29-30). Next week looks mainly quiet with sunny skies returning and average to slightly above average temperatures.

Today started out with light snow and gusty winds around daybreak that lazily transitioned to snain (snow/rain) around 10am at lake level. Light to moderate snow and strong winds blasted the backcountry with vigor above 8000′ this morning, and will continue through much of today as a moist, zonal flow off the Pacific directs mild moisture into the Tahoe Sierra. Much of the same is in store for tonight and tomorrow with a peak in rain/snow amounts late tonight, before backing off to more showery weather Fri night into Sat.

Highs today (12/26) will be in the mid-upper 30s around the lake and mid 20s to lower 30s in the backcountry above 7500′. Tonight temps will cool by only a few degrees in all areas, then begin a slow climb upward Fri through Sun as snow levels climb to upwards of 9000′ by Sun (12/29).

Up to .75″+ of rain is expected over the next 24-36 hrs around town, translating to 6-8″ of dense, new snow above 8000′. Showers could produce another .10-.25″ or liquid Sat – Sat PM before the next storm approaches the area on Sun.

Sunday’s storm appears to be the most robust of the series bringing a period of very strong SW winds early Sun, followed by a prolonged burst of high elevation snow and rain throughout the day. Snow levels will start out tickling 9000′, before falling below 6000′ by the storm’s end late Sun night/early Mon morning (12/30). Elevation will be the name of the game with this storm as appreciable snow accumulation looks unlikely below 7000′.

Long range models suggest a calmer pattern for the first week of 2025 with few storms (if any) slightly above average temps.