The winter storm that dropped rain throughout the Bay Area dumped snow on the Sierras and ski resorts throughout Tahoe. Heavy snow and slick roads additionally made for harmful driving circumstances, however the precipitation is a boon for California’s water provide.
The snow is useful however it’s nonetheless early within the season, stated Andrew Schwartz, the lead scientist at UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Laboratory. The earlier water 12 months, for instance, began out with plentiful rains throughout October and December 2021 however was adopted by an
extremely dry start
to 2022.
“We’re kind of sitting in the first quarter and celebrating after a touchdown,” Schwartz stated. “Hopefully, it has an indication of how the rest of the year — the rest of the game — will play out. But it’s not a guarantee.”
This week’s storm has already dropped a few foot of snow on the lab web site. Schwartz expects that one other half foot to foot and a half is on the way in which earlier than the storm ends.
Snow falls on Hwy 50 heading in direction of South Lake Tahoe and the Meyers chain controls.
Brian Walker, Freelance / Special to The Chronicle“Every snowflake helps,” Schwartz stated.
While speaking in regards to the variety of toes of snow that fell is thrilling — particularly for skiers and snowboarders trying ahead to hitting the slopes this season — scientists use a distinct measure to explain how the snow contributes to the water provide.
“‘Snow water equivalent’ is kind of our bread and butter,” Schwartz stated.
This quantity displays how a lot water can be produced if the snow have been melted down. The information can information water managers as they make choices about how a lot water to ship from dams and reservoirs. Many websites within the Tahoe space have snow water equivalents which might be 85% to 95% of regular for Dec. 1, in keeping with the National Weather Service
California Nevada River Forecast Center.
The common snow water equal throughout California is at the moment 3.2 inches and can proceed to rise as extra precipitation falls — together with this weekend.
“Late Friday through Sunday night, we’ll have another system coming through,” stated Chris Johnston, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Reno Forecast Office. A winter storm watch is in impact for the larger Lake Tahoe space throughout that point, with heavy snow and gusts within the forecast. Travel could possibly be very troublesome to unattainable.
Tahoe ski resorts might see 2 to three toes of snow beginning Saturday afternoon, stated The Chronicle’s newsroom meteorologist Gerry Díaz. That’s on prime of the 4 toes of snow that already fell on Thursday at among the highest peaks, which is sweet for each water provides and for recreation.
“This is a little bit more of a powdery snow than is typical at this time of year,” Schwartz stated “So great for skiing and, when it’s deep like this, great for our water resources. It’s kind of a win-win for everybody.”
Jack Lee (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle employees author. Email: jack.lee@sfchronicle.com
