Blue Bird Skies and Powder Skiing will Return Later This Week to Sierra Nevada
Lake Tahoe Ca, January 17, 2022 – Blue Skies appeared today across much of the Sierra Nevada for practically the first time in 2023. Although a small storm is expected Wednesday night into Thursday the 10 day forecast for the Sierra Nevada is looking pretty chill for those wanting to get into the mountains this weekend.
With practically every snow report out there it would seem that the base of snow across the Sierra Nevada after 20 days of constant snow baths, is averaging over 320″ of seasonal snow totals on the slopes for skiers to enjoy. Visitors have had to fight road conditions, blizzards and avalanche danger it seems since New Years, and even though skiers have made it to the slopes, it just has not felt like in 2023 that the mountains have had a full go opening slate for 2023 yet.
Well after this Thursdays storm rolls through forecasts are showing clear conditions through till the 28th which should give the snow time to settle in, mountains to prep for a long winter season to come and skiers to push the boundaries of powder skiing in the Sierra. of course this will also give openings for possibly some of the first true back country skiing, and snowmobiling opportunities as well.
Avalanche danger will be persistent until the snow can settle in under clear skies a bit, and Tree well danger is prevalent with many areas receiving well over 12 feet of snow in January. The Janu-bury of 2023 is giving some memories of the record snow fall of 2017 when the snow started in January and didn’t stop until April. We have a ways to go to hit 2017 numbers but in some places the snow totals in January are very similar to the 2017 depths.
Wednesday night into Thursday Snow is expected in the Sierra. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 8 inches, except 6 to 12 inches above 7000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 90 mph around the Lake Tahoe region.
Families looking to get out and sled or snowshoe may find parking near their favorite roadside stops a bit more challenging. Even if the areas are plowed out, climbing the road side berms of snow could be difficult if not dangerous. Extreme caution is recommended when parking near the roadways and trying to access the other side of these berms.
