The Tahoe region has had a rough start to the 2013- 2014 ski season. For the third year in a row early season conditions are less than stellar. According to Squaw Valley‘s snowfall tracker, the upper mountain has only received 54″ of snow so far this season with the last snowfall coming on December 8th. If things were not bed enough, NOAA has updated their long range forecast and it ain’t looking good.
“LOOKING AHEAD, NO END IN SIGHT TO THE DRY PATTERN. ARCTIC OSCILLATION IS FORECAST TO REMAIN POSITIVE THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH. THIS WOULD LIMIT ANY ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS FROM REACHING THE WEST COAST. ONLY HOPE WOULD BE FOR THE LESS PREDICTABLE PNA TO GO STRONGLY NEGATIVE WITH COLDER STORMS DROPPING FROM THE NORTH, BUT ITS PHASE IS NOT REALLY FORECASTABLE BEYOND DAY 7.” – NOAA.gov