Day 2.......

Sierra is having an incredible start to the season with another 15 inches falling in the past 24 hours. That is now up to 217 inches this season which is 45% of the annual average, and we are just getting started. Expecting an even bigger storm expected to push through tonight and Sunday.

Don't let your guard down yet as one of the strongest 24 hour storms in about 3 years prepares to move in tonight. Precip will be lighter today ahead of the storm tonight with 3-6 inches expected at the base by this evening. On the mountain we should see another 6-12+ inches by this evening. Then tonight a strong wave moves in and it dumps. Should see another 18-24 inches tonight and then 18-24 more tomorrow on top, for a 24 hour total of 3-4+ feet. It could be the biggest 24 hour total since January 3rd-4th 2008. At the base 12-18 inches tonight & another 12-18 inches tomorrow. Several more inches should finish us off Sunday night for 48 hour snowfall totals of 4-6 feet on top, and 2-4 feet at the base by Monday morning.

On Monday the snow levels are well below lake level and snow showers should continue with several more inches expected. Then things get a little more confusing as the trough off the coast digs really deep on Tuesday. Models are split on weather we have a break on Tuesday because the subtropical jetstream pulls away from the Polar Jetstream and moves the precip South of us, or they stay merged and the moisture is pulled back North for more heavy snowfall. Today let's go in the middle and say it stays colder with snow levels below lake level and light snow Tuesday before the cold front swing through with heavier snow on Wednesday. With that solution we are looking at 2-3 more feet instead of the doubling down on the 3-6 feet from this weekend that was the trend a couple days ago. Will have to watch this closely because it will make a big difference on the amount of snow we receive.

We look to dry out starting on Thursday and lasting into Saturday. That will provide much better driving conditions for all of the people coming up for Christmas weekend and the incredible skiing conditions. Looks like a colder storm is still on tap for Sunday that could bring a foot or more to the resort. By the end of the month and into the new year the ridge in the Pacific may set up around 150-160w which is our ideal location for colder storms to drop in from the North. Stay tuned..........BA