How much snow has fallen in Tahoe? Here are the current totals — and avalanche forecast

Angela Rodriguez

Following a weekend of heavy precipitation and gusty winds, the Tahoe region is bracing for more snow — and possible avalanches, according to the National Weather Service.

Over the past week, Tahoe has experienced a series of winter storms as a result of an atmospheric river that coursed through California.

The Sierra Nevada, including the Tahoe region, received heavy amounts of snow, the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory reported.

The laboratory, located at Donner Pass, reported to have received about 56 inches of snow in the past week.

“We’re expecting another 4-8” of snow (on Wednesday) before a drier pattern takes place next week,” the laboratory posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

What’s the avalanche danger in Tahoe?

While avalanches can occur at any elevation due to heavy amounts of snow layered upon a slope, people could also potentially trigger an avalanche when traveling below or near a slope.

According to the Sierra Avalanche Center’s latest forecast, which ranks avalanche risks on a scale of one to five, Tuesday’s avalanche danger is at a three, or, “considerable,” in backcountry areas.

“Yesterday’s snowfall was heavily focused along the Sierra Crest. That is where most avalanche activity is expected today,” the center reported in the forecast.

Skiers and snowboarders go down the run at Palisades Tahoe on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, a day after a deadly avalanche buried multiple people and killed a 66-year-old man.
Skiers and snowboarders go down the run at Palisades Tahoe on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, a day after a deadly avalanche buried multiple people and killed a 66-year-old man.

How much snow has fallen at Tahoe’s ski resorts?

As of Tuesday, here’s how much snow has fallen at ski and snowboarding resorts in Tahoe so far this season, according to their websites:

What’s in the weather forecast for Tahoe?

Snow is in the forecast for South Lake Tahoe over the next five days, according to the National Weather Service.

On Tuesday, there is a 60% chance of snow likely before 4 p.m. with a high near 35 degrees and a low around 17. Less than half an inch of new snow is possible.

Wednesday’s forecast shows a 60% chance of snow with mostly cloudy skies. The high will be near 33 degrees and the low will be around 13 degrees with gusts nearing 10 mph.

Thursday is expected to see a 40% chance of snow mainly in the afternoon with gusts nearing 5 miles per hour. Skies will be partly cloudy with temperatures as high as 32 degrees and as low as 12 degrees.

On Friday, there will be a 50% chance of snow in the morning. Skies will be mostly cloudy with a high near 32 and a low around 11 degrees.

How’s this season’s snowpack looking so far in California?

While this winter season has been wet, California’s precipitation has not produced nearly as much snow as the previous water year, according to The Sacramento Bee’s latest drought update.

The snowpack had recorded 29 inches of snow as of Jan. 30 during a snow survey by the state water agency.

That’s 58% of the average to date, department spokesperson Ryan Endean said in a briefing after the survey.

California might experience above-average rainfall in 2024 along with below-average snowfall, resulting in a “snow drought,” officials said in the briefing.

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