LAKE TAHOE BASIN, Calif. / Nev. – After the heaviest storm cycle of the season, the Lake Tahoe region is finally getting a brief break — though it won’t last long.
According to the National Weather Service, the pressure system that brought widespread snowfall is now moving east and away from the region.
Cold but Quiet Weekend
The primary concern over the next few days will be frigid temperatures. NWS forecasters say a weak upper-level ridge will settle over the region this weekend, bringing mostly dry but cold conditions, particularly during the morning hours.
Morning lows today and tomorrow are forecast to dip into the teens across western Nevada and northeast California, with single digits in the Tahoe Basin. Despite the frigid start, skies are expected to be partly sunny today.
NWS also warns that wind chills in the Sierra will be particularly bitter. Areas near the Sierra crest — especially along the Eastern Sierra and in the White Mountains — could see wind chills ranging from -10°F to -35°F this morning.
Conditions are expected to moderate slightly by Sunday as temperatures begin to warm. Western Nevada, northeast California, and the Tahoe Basin should see wind chills improve into the teens, while the highest elevations remain in the single digits.
The Next Storm
Forecasters are already tracking the next system.
“The next storm system appears to take a very leisurely track as it descends from the Gulf of Alaska toward the West Coast,” the National Weather Service said in its weather discussion. “The first wave approaches the area on Sunday, resulting in gusty winds for portions of northeast California.”
According to OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto, “The next round of storms could move in sometime Monday night and continue through next Wednesday, the 25th. These storms could bring more snow to the northern Sierra, heavy at times, and rain to the lower elevations.”
The National Weather Service is also forecasting a 20–50% chance of light rain and mountain snow showers above 6,000 feet in northeast California on Sunday and Monday. The upper-level low is expected to remain offshore before pushing through the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia from Monday night through Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the system is expected to draw an atmospheric river southward across the Sierra and into the Great Basin. Snow levels are projected to rise to around 7,000–8,000 feet, bringing accumulating snow to higher elevations and mostly rain below that threshold.
The combination of rain falling on top of fresh snow could lead to rising and fast-moving flows on rivers and creeks.
“Although it is too early to tell if we will see river flooding, we are uncertain about how much rain we will receive since it is still several days out,” the National Weather Service said. “Based on the accumulated snow over the past few days, this could lead to issues if there are no clear drainage paths in urban areas.”
After this system moves through, forecasters are calling for warmer and drier conditions, with only a low probability of another quick-moving system next weekend.
7-Day Snow Totals
Resorts across the Tahoe region have reported impressive snowfall totals over the past week:
Diamond Peak: 74 inches
Palisades Tahoe: 87 inches
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: 55–66 inches
Northstar California: 80 inches
Sugar Bowl Resort: 103–111 inches
Kirkwood Mountain Resort: 92 inches
Heavenly Mountain Resort: 61 inches
Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort: 55 inches
Boreal Mountain California: 91 inches
Sierra-at-Tahoe: 56–91 inches
Soda Springs Mountain Resort: 96–106 inches
Homewood Mountain Resort: 67–98 inches
For powder seekers, the past week has delivered in a big way.
TRUCKEE, Calif. – A third skier had at Northstar this month, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office
Around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, deputies received a report of a possible missing person. They immediately began investigating and located the vehicle of the missing 21-year-old man in the Northstar parking lot. Based on the investigation, it was determined that the skier had gone skiing and did not return as expected.
“Our Placer County Office of Emergency Management lieutenant quickly coordinated resources to support search efforts,” a PCSO Facebook post stated. “The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team was activated early this morning, deploying 15 skiers, a snowcat, and two snowmobilers to search the area, with Northstar Ski Patrol members also assisting in the effort.”
At about 9 a.m. this morning, the search team located the man deceased. He was found on the advanced Sugar Pine Glade trail.
The skier was identified as Colin Kang, 21 of Fremont, Calif. Northstar confirms he was an employee of the resort who was off duty at the time of the incident.
“We are heartbroken by this loss,” said Tara Schoedinger, General Manager of Northstar California Resort. “Our deepest sympathies are with his family and loved ones, and with the team members who had the privilege of working alongside him.”
NORDEN, Calif. – The Sugar Bowl Academy announced the loss of multiple members in Tuesday’s Castle Peak avalanche.
In a statement on Wednesday, the academy described the individuals as respected, valued, and loved members, having connections to the Sugar Bowl, Donner Summit, and local backcountry community.
“We are an incredibly close and connected community. This tragedy has affected each and every one of us. The depth of support for the families whose lives have been changed forever reminds us of how special this community is,” said Executive Director Stephen McMahon. “The best thing we can do is surround our athletes and families with care and support while providing the necessary space and time for grief and healing.”
Out of respect for victims families, the academy and first responders are not releasing the names of the victims or survivors at this time.
In a statement provided to the Sierra Sun, family members of the avalanche victims identified six of the women who were killed:
Carrie Atkin Liz Clabaugh Danielle Keatley Kate Morse Caroline Sekar Kate Vitt
“Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women,” the statement reads. “They were all mothers, wives and friends who connected through a shared love of the outdoors. They were passionate, skilled skiers who cherished their time together in the mountains. They lived in the Bay Area, Idaho, and the Truckee–Tahoe region.”
Family members said they are still grappling with many unanswered questions. However, they shared the following details about the trip:
Eight close friends had planned a professionally guided, two-night backcountry hut trip to Frog Lake Huts outside Truckee. The trip was organized well in advance. According to the statement, the women were experienced backcountry skiers who deeply respected the mountains. They were trained and prepared for backcountry travel and trusted their professional guides on this trip. They were fully equipped with avalanche safety equipment.
“We are heartbroken and are doing our best to care for one another and our families in the way we know these women would have wanted,” the statement continues. “We are asking for privacy and space as our families grieve this sudden and profound loss.”
UPDATE – Thursday, Feb. 19 at 11:00 a.m.
Efforts to extract the bodies of avalanche victims from the Castle Peak area will not happen today due hazardous weather, according to The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
Recovery efforts are expected to carry into the weekend.
The sheriff’s office is unable to confirm the identifications, ages, affiliations, or cities of origin for the victims until the recovery is completed.
Sugar Bowl Academy announced some of the victims are members of their school.
The mayor of Mill Valley, a small town in Marin County, confirmed with news outlets that some in the group were women from his city, though he did not provide additional details.
UPDATE – Thursday, Feb. 19 at 9:00 a.m.
The six rescued survivors include one male guide, three male clients and two female clients, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
The identities of the survivors and victims have not been released.
Recovery efforts for the bodies are underway, but dependent on weather conditions.
UPDATE – WEDNESDAY, Feb. 18 at 11:30 a.m.
Eight skiers are dead and one person is still missing, but presumed dead according to this morning’s press conference regarding yesterday’s avalanche.
One of the decedent’s is a spouse to a Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team member.
“As you can understand this has not only been challenging for our community,” Placer County Sheriff, Wayne Woo said, “…it’s also been challenging emotionally for our team and our organization.”
Of the six survivors, four were men and two were women.
The entire tour group consisted of nine women and six men.
After last night’s rescue of the six survivors, the mission has changed to a recovery mission.
However, recovery will depend on the weather the next couple of days, which the rescue team is actively monitoring.
UPDATE – Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 10:40 p.m.
Late Tuesday evening, search and rescue teams successfully rescued the six initially reported skiers who survived the avalanche.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reports the rescue took several hours due to extreme weather conditions. Upon return, Truckee Fire medically evaluated the skiers who had varying injuries. Two were transported to the hospital.
The search for the remaining skiers is ongoing, and may get impacted by weather conditions.
The group was initially believed to be 16 people, but that number has been updated to 15.
Those 15 include skiers and guides who were on a guide trip through Blackbird Mountain Guides. The company issued a statement with information on the situation Tuesday evening.
According to their statement, the group had been on a three-day ski trip and were staying at the Frog Lake huts since Feb. 15.
The group was in the process of returning to the trailhead at the conclusion of a three-day trip when the incident occurred.
Blackbird Mountain Guides says it is in direct contact with the emergency contacts of the affected clients and guides and is providing them with regular updates as verified information becomes available.
UPDATE – Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 4 p.m.
10 skiers are still unaccounted for following an avalanche near Castle Peak earlier today. Six skiers have survived and remain at the avalanche site, awaiting rescue. The survivors have been directed to shelter in place.
The group of 16, consisting of four ski guides and 12 clients, encountered the avalanche around 11:30 a.m. today.
Rescue ski teams have departed from both Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center to make their way to the known survivors. A Snocat team is also on its way to the incident site.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s office says rescue efforts remain in progress now with 46 emergency first responders.
Weather conditions remain highly dangerous.
The Sierra Avalanche Center previously issued an avalanche warning for today, which has been in effect since 5 a.m. today through Feb. 18 at 5 a.m., stating: “HIGH avalanche danger exists in the backcountry. Large avalanches are expected to occur Tuesday, Tuesday night, and into at least early Wednesday morning across backcountry terrain. HIGH avalanche danger might continue through the day on Wednesday.”
ORIGINAL STORY – Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 12:15 p.m.
NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. – The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Nevada County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue are responding to the report of an avalanche in the Castle Peak area.
The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and involved a group of backcountry skiers, several of which are missing, according to the sheriff’s office update.
Details are currently limited. The Sun will provide further updates when details become available.
