This forecast was written at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 21
We’re kicking off the Christmas week with a number of waves of snowfall throughout the Sierra, delivering deep turns simply in time for the vacation. Higher snow ranges this weekend will give strategy to colder air by Tuesday, setting the stage for average to heavy snowfall in lots of resorts. One other system will roll in Thursday into Friday night time, promising a second shot of powder earlier than the brand new 12 months.
An unsettled sample stays over the Sierra by a lot of the week. Snow ranges will initially hover round 8000 ft or increased, that means solely the higher mountain terrain will see recent snow from the primary spherical on Sunday. Winds alongside the ridges can be average, probably robust at occasions, so maintain that in thoughts for those who’re planning on venturing off-piste.
As we transfer into Christmas Eve, a colder system sweeps in, decreasing snow ranges. By late Monday night time into Tuesday, anticipate snow ranges to dip nearer to 6500–7000 ft, bringing extra widespread protection throughout the resorts. This storm additionally carries sufficient moisture to ship average to domestically heavy accumulations, so vacation powder turns look doubtless for Christmas Eve and Christmas day!
The subsequent wave arrives Thursday, lasting by Friday night time, bringing one other spherical of recent snow pretty similar to the Monday night time/Tuesday storm. Winds will stay breezy at higher elevations, so be ready for variable circumstances on the ridgelines and potential raise wind holds at increased elevations.
Temperatures will usually keep cool sufficient for first rate snow above mid-mountain ranges, although mid-mountain elevations and under might undergo from variable temperatures and combined precipitation varieties. Between every storm cycle, there could also be transient lulls, however general, a gentle stream of winter climate ought to maintain circumstances enjoyable and fluffy up excessive. It’s shaping as much as be a white Christmas certainly for a lot of the California excessive nation!
Storm-by-Storm Snowfall Totals
Storm #1: Sunday (12/22 Day)–Sunday Evening (12/22)
- Kirkwood: 2-4
- Palisades Tahoe: 1-4
- Mammoth: 1-3
- Heavenly: 1-2
- Mt Rose: 0-1
Storm #2: Monday Evening (12/23)–Tuesday Evening (12/24)
- Kirkwood: 8-15
- Palisades Tahoe: 7-14
- Sugar Bowl: 7-13
- Mammoth: 7-12
- Heavenly: 4-8
- Mt Rose: 3-6
- Northstar: 3-6
Storm #3: Thursday (12/26)–Friday Evening (12/27)
- Kirkwood: 8-15
- Palisades Tahoe: 7-12
- Sugar Bowl: 6-12
- Mammoth: 3-6
- Heavenly: 3-6
- Northstar: 1-5
- Mt Rose: 0-4
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