It’s Officially Tahoe’s Snowiest Winter in 70 Years
The snowfall around Lake Tahoe is officially historic.
Following the snowiest October through February since 1970, the storms continued to dump on the Tahoe Basin through the first three weeks of March. With the additional snowfall, the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab recorded 677 inches of snow on the season, making it the snowiest winter since 1952 and the second snowiest since the lab was built in 1946.
With 7.7" (19.5 cm) of #snow over the last day, '22/'23 has passed '82/'83 as the 2nd snowiest season (Oct 1 – Sept 30) since the CSSL was built in 1946! We now have a season total of 677" (56.4 feet, 17.2 m).
— UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab (@UCB_CSSL) March 20, 2023
Still far from #1 but we'll get closer over the next week. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/M0thTCxZuI
The snow has been a welcomed sight for the region plagued by drought for the past decade, but it’s certainly caused some issues for residents in the Sierra. The weight of the snow has caused structures to collapse, and for anyone didn’t want that to happen, it’s been a constant battle to shovel the snow off roofs and decks.
Photos from Tahoe locals have show massive snowpack on top of houses in the region.
Meanwhile, the extended forecast shows more snow heading to the region into April. Despite the historic snowfall this winter, it will still be very difficult to reach 800 inches – a mark that’s only been seen twice since recording began in the 1800s. The snowiest winter seen by the Central Sierra Snow Lab came in 1952 with a total of 812 inches. But if the snow continues to fall through April, that number is certainly in play.
Phew, what a winter. Here’s to a historic season in the Sierra.
