The Morning Intel | Tahoe Sector Watch

Location: #HippieHaus | South Lake Tahoe, CA

Date: Friday, December 26, 2025

Time: 05:25 PST

¡Buenos días my friends,

Cup'O'Joe in hand, #StokeLevelSolid at 13.7, as I type, cold to start the day, low twenties, light winds, partly cloudy skies, and a perfect day to get out on the Mountain and enjoy the #FreshCoat of #MaNatural Mother Nature has blessed our region with.

This morning, with your first cup'o'joe, take a moment to send mindfulness and kindness out to our MammothMtn family, to their Mtn Ops teams, and to the Patrollers, and families affected by the inbounds movement yesterday. To their health and a speedy 100% recovery. On that note, MammothMtn is closed today, AND if you are going for a BC adventure, take the time to read the Avy Forecasts below, and check in for today's update at 0700 before you head on out. Beacon, Pack, Probe, Shovel, make a plan, and travel in safe-zones.

Roads, Junk-show last night, WOW, I'm never surprised by how many people still make the trek to Tahoe in two-wheel drives, with NO CHAINS, sad... Back on-air 7a-10a on 101.5 KTKE Truckee, for the Ski California Winter Weather Show. Will be chat'n up snow, conditions, and the long-range forecast ahead, with ripping music, and live chats, with Sugar Bowl, Palisade's, and the Krew up at Boreal - Tune-in and stay frosty, my friends...

Current Sector Data (Verified @ 0458 PST)

Regional Temperatures:

  • South Lake Tahoe (KTLV) at 6,308': 23ºF (Cold Start)

  • Truckee (KTRK) at 5,899': 19ºF

  • Chair 6 Ridge (9,100'): 14ºF (Deep Freeze)

  • Mammoth Mtn Race (MTH03) at 11,034': 12ºF

Regional Winds (The Engine Room):

  • HippieHaus: 228º (SW) 10mph

  • Truckee: 224º (SW) 6mph

  • Donner Pass: 222º (S) 7mph

  • Carson Pass: 213º (SW) 22mph (Significantly calmer than yesterday)

  • Mammoth Race (MTH03): 189º (SW) 20mph

Roads (CalTrans @ 0458 PST):

  • Status: MESSY, SLICK, NASTY, SLOW'YR'ROLL.

  • SR88: Chains Required (Ham's Station to Picketts Jct).

  • HWY 50: Chains Required (Twin Bridges to Meyers).

  • I-80: CLOSED to Tractor-Semitrailers (Applegate to Mogul, NV) due to multiple spinouts. Route CLOSED to Eastbound Traffic (Colfax to State Line). Chains Required for Westbound traffic (Truckee to Kingvale).

  • Coop's Note: I-80 is a parking lot for big rigs. Alternate routes are highly advised.

  • CalTrans QuickMap: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Forecast Update: The Final Pulse

⚠️ Active Advisories:

  • WINTER STORM WARNING: In effect until 10:00 PM PST this evening (NWS Sacramento).

  • FLOOD WATCH: Remains in effect until 4:00 PM PST for lower elevations.

  • WIND ADVISORY: Active until 6:00 PM PST for the Valley/Foothills.

The NWS Deep Dive (STO vs. REV):

We have a tale of two forecasts this morning as the system slowly exits.

1. The Active Threat (NWS Sacramento - STO):

  • The Update: While the storm is winding down, STO emphasizes that "Major holiday travel impacts" continue through today.

  • The Thunder Threat: There is a distinct window between Noon and 8:00 PM where isolated thunderstorms are possible in the Valley and Foothills.

  • Why it matters: As this convection moves up the terrain, it will translate to bursts of moderate to heavy snowfall (1-2 inches per hour) and gusty winds in the Sierra. An additional 8 to 12 inches is possible above 4,500 feet through Saturday morning.

2. The Weekend Outlook (NWS Reno - REV):

  • The Shift: REV is looking past today's lingering showers toward the weekend clearing.

  • The Change: We are transitioning to a drier, colder pattern. As skies clear, Freezing Fog becomes the primary hazard for Sierra valleys (Truckee/Tahoe).

  • Temps: Expect temperatures to drop 5-10 degrees below average. Cold mornings and chilly afternoons are on tap for the weekend.

✈️ Aviation Section

Current Status: MVFR / VFR (Improving)

  • Conditions: Generally VFR, but watch for Freezing Fog (FZFG) developing once skies clear.

  • Sierra Terminals (KTRK/KTVL): Potential for IFR/LIFR conditions due to freezing fog, potentially lasting through 15Z-17Z this morning.

  • Convective Risk: NWS Sacramento warns of isolated thunderstorms this afternoon which could cause brief IFR conditions, heavy rain/snow, and erratic winds near terminals.

  • Snow Levels: Hovering around 4,500 feet.

⚓ Tahoe Mariners Forecast

Lake Tahoe:

  • Today: Areas of Freezing Fog in the morning. Partly cloudy with a slight chance of snow early, becoming sunny.

  • Winds: Southwest up to 10 mph (Light) becoming light.

  • Wave Heights: Less than 1 foot.

  • Tonight: Clear evening, becoming partly cloudy. Lows 21-27ºF.

  • Outlook: A much calmer day on the Big Blue compared to the hurricane force gusts of yesterday.

Sierra Avalanche Centers

Central Sierra (Tahoe/Carson Pass):

  • Status: ELEVATED DANGER

  • Issued: Friday, Dec 26 (Expires Saturday @ 04:00 AM).

  • The Bottom Line: "You could easily trigger a large avalanche today."

  • The Detail: High-intensity snowfall from early this morning combined with wind has kept the danger elevated. While natural avalanches will decrease, human-triggered avalanches remain likely all day.

  • Link: Sierra Avalanche Center Forecast

Eastside Region (Mammoth):

  • Status: VERY DANGEROUS

  • Issued: Friday, Dec 26 (Expires Saturday @ 07:00 AM).

  • The Bottom Line: "Very dangerous avalanche conditions persist."

  • The Detail: Heavy snowfall and strong SW winds continue. Natural and human-triggered avalanches remain likely.

  • Guidance: Give it time, give it space. Avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

  • Link: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center Forecast

The Bottom Line: The "Freak Flag" is flying on this Friday. We have a solid refresh of snow, but the roads are still in recovery mode (especially I-80). The winds have dropped, giving us a window to enjoy the goods, but keep your head on a swivel for those afternoon convective bursts and unstable snowpack.

Stay'nThirsty for POW,

Coop | RS#69

A weather map of North America showing high and low-pressure systems, weather fronts, and precipitation patterns. Green areas indicate light to moderate precipitation, and there are several storm systems, including hurricanes, in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
A weather map showing 500mb height in decameters and anomalies in meters across the United States and surrounding areas. It depicts areas of high pressure with elevated heights (orange and red shades) and low pressure with lower heights (blue shades). The map includes isobars and color gradations indicating atmospheric conditions for December 26, 2025.

ECMWF AIFS AI [M] 0.25º 6-hr Precip (in.), MSLP (hPa), 850mb Temp.(ºC)

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Chair Six(6) Ridge 12/25 - KirkwoodMtn - 9,100’

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NAM 3km Composite Reflectivity 1000m AGL

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NAM 3km | 24hr Precipitation (in)

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NAM 3km | 2m Temperatures - MIN ºf)

NAM 3km | 80m Wind Speeds + Streamlines (kts)

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NAM 3km | 0-6km Wind Shear (kts) + Streamlines

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NAM 3km | 24-hr Snow (Inches) WA

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NAM 3km | 24hr Snow (10:1 Ratio) Idaho

NAM 3km | 24hr Snow (10:1 Ratio) Montana

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