Weather
It might not be much, but we’ll take it! After what has been an almost record-breaking dry February, which also saw some areas of the state have record temperatures as high as 79º, there is finally some snow on the horizon for Californian ski areas.
- Related: California on Track for Driest February EVER Recorded | Tahoe Snowpack About HALF of Normal
Snow:
* Snowfall will be concentrated in a band along the cold front
with a quick 2-4 hour period of snow possible. Start time as
early as Saturday afternoon across northern Lassen and Surprise
Valley. Best potential across western Nevada and Sierra
Saturday night through Sunday morning.
* Western Nevada valleys could see 1-2 inches. For the Sierra, 2-5
inches for valleys such as around Truckee and Tahoe, with 4-8
inches for the crest and near Mammoth Lakes.
According to the NOAA:
A potent cold front will sweep through the Sierra and western Nevada Saturday and Sunday. This will provide strong and gusty winds ahead of the front Saturday afternoon followed by plummeting snow levels and chances for accumulating snow on valley floors.
Start time for snowfall will be as early as Saturday afternoon across northern Lassen county and the Surprise Valley. Onset time along the I-80 corridor across the Sierra through western Nevada looking about 10 pm-midnight at this time. Areas south of Highway 50 generally looking from about 3 am to sunrise.
Snow amounts generally looking around 1-2 inches across western Nevada valleys with Sierra valleys seeing 2-5 inches and around 4-8 inches for the crest.
Sunday will be cold behind the front with some snow showers. Snow showers will be most numerous in Mono County closest to the low and where northeast upslope flow traditionally does best. Temperatures will struggle to reach 40 in the lower valleys and 30 in the Sierra. A brisk northeast 10-20 mph wind will make it feel even colder, especially after the recent warm weather.
Most ski areas should see a few inches, with Mammoth Mountain looking like being the winner with potential for up to 8″. Sunday morning should be the best day for starved powderhounds… go get it!
Other Info:
