As predicted, snow totals were high from the storm that began Wednesday morning and continued into the early hours on Thursday.
Led by Sugar Bowl with 29 inches, four Tahoe ski resorts were reporting 2 feet or more of snow and two other resorts were 1 inch short of the 2-foot-mark. It supports the theory that this month could produce another “Miracle March” in the Lake Tahoe region.
SEE COMPLETE TAHOE SNOW REPORT BELOW
“Miracle March is delivering. We woke up to 29 inches in the last 24 hours and the storm door is staying wide open all week,” a message on the Sugar Bowl website stated this morning.
Note that deep snow comes with inherent dangers, most notably the possibility of avalanches. Some of the best advice of the day comes from Boreal Mountain.
“It’s deep out there today, ski with a buddy,” a message on the Boreal website stated.
The powder is deep at Boreal on Thursday (March 13). The resort, located off Interstate 80 at Donner Summit, was reporting 28 inches this morning. Palisades Tahoe got 25 inches and Soda Springs had 24. Two Vail Resorts in Tahoe – Kirkwood and Northstar – both were hit with 2 feet of snow.
With a little more than 2 feet of snow reported Wednesday, Sugar Bowl became the first Tahoe ski resort to surpass the 300-inch snow total for the 2024-25 season. Sugar Bowl has 320 inches this season, followed by Mt. Rose with 300.
ANOTHER MIRACLE MARCH? Some years, March has been historically the most prolific snowfall month in the Lake Tahoe region. Prior to the heavy snow reported Thursday morning, March had already delivered several storms in its first few weeks, totaling more than a foot of fresh powder.
The latest storm system, which continues into early next week, is predicted to bring some of the heaviest snowfall totals this ski season. Although it will likely contain less moisture than previous atmospheric river storms this winter, powdery snow should lead to higher accumulations.
“The last significant storm we had came in multiple waves. This storm is bringing heavier snowfall rates, and we’ve got some larger snowfall totals we’re expecting,” said Gigi Giralte, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Reno office.
The March snow is needed. Many Tahoe ski resorts are still under the 200-inch level for the season. Although the totals have been less in recent years, historically Tahoe resorts average 300 to 500 inches of snow per year.
WEATHER FORECAST: The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning that remains in effect for the Greater Lake Tahoe area until 11 p.m. Thursday, which has prompted chain controls on most area mountain passes.
Bryan Allegretto, OpenSnow weather forecaster, says lighter snow showers will continue into Thursday. He also predicts a weaker system of snow showers Friday into Friday night, setting up a possible good weekend of skiing and snowboarding in partly sunny weather. However, high winds are expected both days.
Another storm moves through, starting Sunday evening and lasting into Monday. The snow is supposed to stop later that evening, leading to clearing conditions Tuesday.
ROAD CONDTIONS: Plan for extended travel times Thursday, with chain controls in effect. Driving slower with more control should be adhered throughout the next five days in the Tahoe region.
Thursday morning, Echo Summit was closed for avalanche control, temporarily shutting down Highway 50 around 9 am. On I-80, chains are required on all vehicles from 3.4 miles east of Gold Run to the Nevada State.
TAHOE SNOW REPORT (March 13)
- Sugar Bowl: 29 inches
- Boreal: 28 inches
- Palisades Tahoe: 25 inches
- Soda Springs: 24 inches
- Northstar: 23 inches
- Kirkwood: 23 inches
- Tahoe Donner: 20 inches
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 18 inches
- Mt. Rose: 16 inches
- Heavenly: 13 inches
- Diamond Peak: 9 inches
- Homewood: Closed for season
