Lake Tahoe Just Experienced One Of The Driest Early-Seasons In Recorded History

Matt Lorelli
·2 min read
14

Lake Tahoe's ski resorts are desperate for snow after one of the warmest and driest October-December periods in recent memory. Just how dry was it though?

According to data collected by The Central Sierra Snow Lab, October-December 2023 is tied for the 4th driest early season since at least 1970. Just 31.7 inches of snow fell during that time, which is 27% of the 53-year average for Oct-Dec.

Oct-Dec Snowfall Central Sierra Snow Lab<p>OpenSnow</p>
Oct-Dec Snowfall Central Sierra Snow Lab

OpenSnow

This data might be bleak for powder hungry skiers and snowboarders who frequent the Tahoe area, but fear not. As mentioned by Tahoe legend Scott Gaffney in a recent Instagram Story, the season is still young.

Gaffney noted that while last season's record-setting snow got off to a quick start with storms in November and early December, the powder party didn't really start until after New Year's Day.

In what shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody, Gaffney might be onto something.

After weeks of warm air, rain, and other disappointments, two storms are expected to bring upwards of two feet of snow to Palisades Tahoe through the end of the week.

Check out NOAA's forecast for Palisades Tahoe through Saturday, January 6th, 2023:

NOAA 7-day forecast for Palisades Tahoe, CA
NOAA 7-day forecast for Palisades Tahoe, CA

The prolonged dry spell seems to be finally breaking (for now, at least), and a palpable buzz has spread across Tahoe like the common cold.

Powder skis from Reno to South Lake are being waxed, sharpened, and tuned as you read this article. It's going to snow in Tahoe, and you better believe the diehards aren't going to miss it.

Winter '23/'24 won't break the unfathomable records set last season, and that's okay. It's been a slow start, but there's still plenty of time for the tide to turn.

Stay tuned in here at POWDER for storm totals. We've got you covered.

Related: Olympian Skier Jonny Moseley's "Herd" Takes Over Entire Lake Tahoe Trail

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