This Pacific storm was wet and juicy, but relatively warm, so the expected heavy snowfall in the upper elevations did not materialize. However, I did hear that a snowboarder climbed for some runs in the Mt. Rose area. He reported finding snow nearly two feet deep above 9,000 feet.


Storm totals were impressive with more than 5 inches of rain on the Sierra West slope. Donner Lake was drenched with more than three inches in just 24 hours, but unfortunately the parched Lake Tahoe Basin received lesser amounts.


This wet storm launched the 2009 Water Year with pretty good numbers, but there is still a long way to go and many California reservoirs are near historically low levels.

Snow Lab
At the Central Sierra Snow Lab near Donner Pass, November storms are important as they usually produce more than ten percent of the average yearly totals, with 48 inches of snow and more than six inches of precipitation. On average, about 75 percent of California's annual precipitation falls between November and March; half occurs between December and February.


Getting enough natural snowfall in November for skiing or snowboarding is often a challenge in the Sierra, but colder temperatures usually give regional resorts an opportunity to pump out an early base with snowmaking equipment.

Snow Makers
In the last decade, snowmaking technology has advanced in leaps and bounds and Tahoe resorts have invested heavily in snow making systems. At the moment, Boreal Ski Resort at Donner Pass has only a few inches of natural snow on its slopes, but due to its mellow terrain and extensive snow making capability they plan on opening this weekend.




Photos by author. For other Tahoetopia features, click on Timeless Tahoe. Also visit www.tahoetv.com for informative videos of the dramatic Tahoe Region.

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