The Storm Roars In

UPDATED: Friday, February 6, 2015: 4:00pm

Sugarbowl base area at 3:30pm on 2/6/15

Summary:

The storm has arrived!  Take a look at Sugarbowl this afternoon.  Snow levels are supposed to be pretty high with these two storms this weekend, but they’re starting out lower than expected.  Let’s hope that keeps up!  For the Bay Area, expect very windy and rainy conditions to continue into Saturday morning with a lull and showery weather taking us through the rest of the day on Saturday.  Sunday a new storm roars in and it will bring more rain and wind through Monday.  Highs through the weekend will be in the low 60’s and lows will dip to around 50.  Tahoe will get blasted as well, but with mainly rain.  Above 8,000ft. heavy wet snow could total up in the 2-3 foot range, but only a few inches of snow will make it down to lake level by the end of the second storm on Monday.  The beaches are as stormy and blown out as you might expect.  

The weather has closed down a few of our outdoor events planned for this weekend, but that shouldn’t keep you from having some fun with UD!  Tonight at the clubhouse we’re hosting a Speed Dating Night and Alison will be hosting a Brunch on Sunday morning.  Sign up if you haven’t already!

Around Tahoe:

The resorts started getting nuked mid afternoon.  I’ve been watching the webcams around the region all day and as of 3:30pm, a few inches of snow has already fallen up at Donner Summit and it continues to come down hard.  Many resorts were closed today due to the weather and wind.  Expect a few feet of heavy, wet snow to fall through Sunday above 8000ft., but below that most of the precipitation will fall as rain.  Since snow levels started off pretty low at the onset of the storm a few hours ago, I’m still holding out hope that more cold air will come in with this storm and rejuvenate the snow pack and our ski season.  At this stage in the game, one can only hope.  The storms will continue all weekend with the final impulse moving out of the region late Monday.

For more Tahoe snow details, check out the Tahoe Daily Snow and follow Tahoe Weather on Facebook.

Backcountry Conditions from the Sierra Avalanche Center:

MODERATE avy danger exists in the backcountry, but it will be rising quickly to CONSIDERABLE with the arriving storm.  New snow and high winds will create loading conditions on lee aspects and unstable slab buildup is almost certain as the storm rolls in.  It’s a good time to stay out of the backcountry until the storm passes.  Check the full report for observations and details.

Hike and Bike Conditions Around the Bay:

High winds and heavy rains will dominate the area this weekend.  If you enjoy watching mother nature blow in off the ocean in full force, be safe, don your rain gear and head out.  The poor weather forced us to close out our intro to backpacking trip scheduled for the weekend on Angel Island.  This is, however, a perfect weekend to read a book, watch a documentary and meet up with Alison for brunch on Sunday at Dr. Teeth.  Expect rain to be heaviest tonight and early tomorrow with a lull later in the day on Saturday, followed by another wallop early Sunday morning through the day Sunday and into Monday.  Temps will be in the 60’s during the day and 50’s at night.   

Surf Around the Region:  

Big storms mean two things: poor waves and poor water quality.  It’s advisable to stay out of the water this weekend as a month of urban sludge will be washing into our beloved mother ocean all at once.  The waves are chopped up and creating “victory at sea” conditions too.  One spot on the coast, storm favorite, Lindamar Beach in Pacifica, has been dishing up some great conditions today, despite the howling winds:

Sunrise/Sunset and Tidal Information:

February 6, 2015

Sunrise: 7:09am/ Sunset: 5:39pm

High Tide: 1:18am at 5.2ft/ 12:35pm at 5.4ft

Low Tide: 6:39am at 2.1ft/ 18:52 at 0.5ft

Be safe if you head out this weekend and have a great one!

SB