The Morning Intel | Tahoe Sector Watch

Location: #HippieHaus | South Lake Tahoe, CA
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 06:15 PST

¡Buenos días, my friends!
Cup’O’Joe in hand, #StokeLevelzSolid, #WisdomWednesday. As discussed, we saw a #PixieDusting across the Sierra, mainly focused N of I-80 this morning. Temps are in the mid-20ºs at lake level, winds aloft are in the mid-20s with gusts in the 30/40 range - layer up for the Mtn today, it’s a cold start warming throughout the day.

The Surface: On-piste, cord is the call. Off-piste will be a mix of #Firm&Fast with a pixie-dust frosting, or what I like to call #LoudPow.
The Outlook: A High-Pressure ridge builds right back up late today and into the weekend with above-average temps forecast across the Sierra.
The Drive: Roads are slick with (at 0545) chain requirements over I-80/SR88, so slow’yr’roll.
The Long Game: Next week, as we move into February, model guidance has the ridge locked in through the second week of the month. Not going to sugar-coat it, it’s dry mis amìgos, so get it while we can, get’out and get’cha some. Dual-sport days, weekends, and the lot for now.
Travel Options: Jackson Hole (218" STD), Baker (111" STD, 4" new), Alyeska (237" STD), Sun Valley (77" STD). Pull the pass out (whatever your flavor: Ikon, EPIC, Cali, Powder Alliance) and look at your options, and go in-search-of. #NeverLoseFaith, #ExcerciseYourOptions…
Note: Check your Ikon email for the added $20/day discount (max 3 days).

“Lasting happiness cannot be found in pursuit of any goal or achievement. It does not reside in fortune or fame. It resides only in the human mind”
― Dalai Lama XIV

Current Sector Data (Verified @ 0615 PST)

Regional Temperatures (Cold Start):

South Lake Tahoe (KTLV): 33ºF
Truckee (KTRK): 27ºF
Palisades - Siberia (8,700’): 23ºF
Alpine Meadows (Mt Ward): 24ºF
KirkwoodMtn Chair 6 (9,100’): 21ºF
MammothMtn Summit (11,034’): 20ºF

Regional Winds (Breezy/Gusty):

HippieHaus: SW 12mph
Camp Rich: SW 7mph
Truckee: SW 6mph
Donner Pass: WSW 13mph
Alpine Meadows (Mt Ward): N 37/44mph
Palisades (Siberia): WSW 30/40mph
KirkwoodMtn (Chair 6): WSW 14mph
MammothMtn Summit: S 50/55mph (High Wind Alert)

Roads (CalTrans @ 0546 PST):

Status: Active Chain Controls.
SR88: Chains Required (except 4WD w/ snow tires) from Silver Lake to 5 mi west of Picketts Jct.
HWY 50: No traffic restrictions reported.
I-80 Eastbound: Chains Required (except 4WD w/ snow tires) from Kingvale to Hirschdale Rd (Truckee).
I-80 Westbound: Chains Required (except 4WD w/ snow tires) from Donner Lake Interchange to 4.7 mi west of Kingvale.
QuickMap: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Weather Ahead: The Clearing & The Warm-Up

⚠️ Weather Advisories:

NWS Official: None Active (Watches/Warnings expired).
Local Hazard: Slick Roads / Black Ice this morning due to light snow and cold temps. Chain Controls are active on passes.

The NWS Deep Dive (REV vs. STO):
The shortwave is exiting, and the “dry & warm” pattern returns rapidly.

1. Today (The Exit):

NWS Reno (REV): The shortwave is moving east. Precip chances taper off by 8 AM PT.
Impact: 0.1-0.2 inch/hour rates were possible at pass level early this morning, causing the current chain controls.
Winds: Ridge gusts (60-70 kts) will decrease this afternoon as the system exits.
NWS Sacramento (STO): Confirms light rain/snow mainly north of Hwy 50. Little to no impact expected after this morning.

2. The Warm-Up (Thu - Weekend):

The Trend: High pressure builds back in.
Temps: A slow, gradual warming trend. By Saturday, daytime highs will be ~10 degrees warmer than today (reaching 50s/60s in valleys).
Inversions: Light winds and high pressure will return, leading to valley inversions. Watch for Freezing Fog in Martis Valley/Sierra Valleys overnight.

3. The Long Range (Feb Start):

The Tease: A weak trough moves through NW CONUS Sunday/Monday (Feb 1-2).
The Reality: Low confidence. Models show “low precipitation chances” near the Oregon border, but no major impacts for Tahoe. The ridge likely re-builds mid-week next week.

Sierra Avalanche Centers

Central Sierra (Tahoe/Carson Pass):

Status: Low / Unlikely
Issued: Tuesday, Jan 27 (Expires: Wednesday, Jan 28 @ 4:00 AM).
Author: Steve Reynaud
The Bottom Line: Avalanches remain unlikely today. Pay attention to terrain and snow surfaces as variable and firm conditions exist. Plan for the current conditions.
Link: Sierra Avalanche Center Forecast

Eastside Region (Mammoth):

Status: Low / Unlikely
Issued: Tuesday, Jan 27 (Expires: Wednesday, Jan 28 @ 7:00 AM).
Author: Sean Smollen
The Bottom Line: Avalanches remain unlikely. Approach steep slopes with caution—a slip or fall in extreme terrain will have elevated consequences due to firm surfaces.
Link: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center Forecast

✈️ Aviation Section

Current Status: Improving to VFR

Morning: Vicinity light showers continue through 12-13Z (except Mammoth). Temporary IFR possible at KTRK/KTVL if a stray shower hits.
Hazard: LLWS and Turbulence over the Sierra/Sierra Front continue until ~15Z today.
Afternoon: Light winds and dry/VFR conditions resume.

⚓ Tahoe Mariners Forecast

Advisory: None.

Today: Partly cloudy. SW winds up to 10 mph AM -> Light. Highs around 45. Wave Heights < 1 foot.
Tonight: Clear. Light winds. Lows 27-34. Wave Heights < 1 foot.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. Light winds. Highs around 50. Wave Heights < 1 foot.

Lake Data Tracking (Day-over-Day Delta):

Water Temp: 43.9ºF (Down -0.1º from yesterday).
Lake Level: 6,227.53 feet (No Change from yesterday).

The Bottom Line: The “Pixie Dust” has fallen, leaving the roads a bit-greazzy and the upper mountains with a dusting of #LoudPow. If you are heading up I-80 or SR88 this morning, slow’yr’roll - chains requirements are up. Once the sun breaks through, the ridge takes over, and we are back to #Firm&Fast mornings and spring-like afternoons. If the local conditions aren’t scratching the itch, check the flight to AK or the PNW - your pass is a passport.

Stay’nThirsty for POW

Coop | RS#69