How much snow has Tahoe received this season? Here’s a look at the totals ahead of the weekend
This year’s winter dropped astonishing amounts of snow across California, and the Tahoe region is experiencing one of its snowiest seasons ever.
Here’s how this winter season stacks up for snow totals:
Snow levels
In the last official snowpack measurement for the state on March 3, water officials said levels were “hovering just below” the 1983 record.
THE UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab has recorded 668 inches of water so far this yearwhich began on October 1.
It’s just 3 inches from becoming the second snowiest season on record.
Stations across California maintained above average levels throughout the season.
According to the California Department of Water Resources, 47 stations in the Central Sierra reported 226% of normal on March 17. Average snow water equals 57.8 inches.
In the Southern Sierra, 29 stations reported 273% of normal. Followed by 29 stations in the Northern Sierra reporting 177% of normal.
Statewide snowfall is 215 percent of the average for April 1, which is considered the peak of the snow season.
Snow station season totals
Below are the season’s snowfall totals for Tahoe-area resorts as of March 17, according to resort websites:
The Central Sierra Snow Lab recorded 51 inches, or 4.25 feet, over the past seven days.
More snow expected
More snow is on the way for the Central Sierra.
“Later Monday and Wednesday, we expect significant mountain impacts with travel delays, range checks and possible road closures,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Idamis Del Valle-Shoemaker.
Throughout the day, temperatures will stay in the 40s and then dip into the 20s at night, according to weather service forecasts.
Will the snowpack help the drought?
Snow levels have helped California’s drought conditions significantly, but according to the Department of Water Resources, we’ll need more than a good year.
“Fortunately, recent storms combined with atmospheric rivers in January have contributed to an above-average snowpack that will help fill some of the state’s reservoirs and maximize groundwater recharge efforts. But the benefits vary by region, and the Northern Sierra, home to the state’s largest reservoir, Lake Shasta, lags behind the rest of the Sierra,” said ministry director Karla Nemeth. of Water Resources in a March 3 press release.
“It will also take more than a good year to begin reclamation of the state’s groundwater pools.”
According to the US Drought Monitor, more than 63% of the state is drought-free.
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