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The Morning Intel | Tahoe Sector Watch

Location: #HippieHaus | South Lake Tahoe, CA
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 06:15 PST

¡Buenos días my friends,
Cup’O’Joe in hand, #StokeLevelSolid at 11, on a #TenaciousTuesday, fired up, after three days up at the Palisades with the Tahoe Freeride team, for Stop #2, hosting three comps (Sat, Sun, Mon). The Jr. Freeride comps are insane, the skillability levels of these young athletes are unmatched, the next-gen is on fire.

Today, warming, with high-elevation E/NE winds over the crest. We are locked in an HP scenario for the next several days. Guidance models hint at a potential weakening; however, it’s the far-out, way beyond-accurate guidance that shows a potential for the next round of #MaNatty…

Snow: (as of yesterday) still mid-winter on northfacing slopes - Oly Lady, and KT skiing well early, with sun-affected zones becoming a lil-manky and heavy. Cold temps will help draw out the moisture, but alas, this is where the change will happen (Freeze/Thaw), and off-piste terrain will start to firm up, becoming challenging. On-piste, where it’s had a tiller down, it’s riding well. Most Mtn teams are still taking advantage of snow-making temps on lower-elevation pitches to backfill on terrain while they can. Firm, where the machines are making snow, but we need it to keep the base connectors alive… All in all, the skiing and riding is awesome, get out and get’cha some, Early birds get the #FreshCord, and the #Schmoo-Windbuff…

Current Sector Data (Verified @ 0615 PST)

Regional Temperatures (Inversion Alert!):

• South Lake Tahoe (KTLV) at 6,308’: 12ºF

• Truckee (KTRK) at 5,899’: 10ºF

• Palisades - Siberia (8,700’): 43ºF

• Alpine Meadows (Mt Ward 8,643’): 36ºF

• KirkwoodMtn Chair 6 (9,100’): 45ºF

• MammothMtn Summit (11,034’): 29ºF

Regional Winds (The Engine Room):

• HippieHaus: ESE 6mph

• Camp Rich: ENE 7mph

• Mid-Lake Buoy (NW): ESE 6mph

• Truckee: SE 5mph

• Donner Pass: E 6mph

• Alpine Meadows (Mt Ward): WSW 31/33mph

• Palisades (Siberia): E 28/34mph

• KirkwoodMtn (Chair 6): ENE 21/38mph (Breezy)

• MammothMtn Summit: E 12/17mph

Roads (CalTrans @ 0601 PST):

• Status: Clear & Open.

• SR88: No traffic restrictions reported.

• HWY 50: No traffic restrictions reported.

• I-80: Commercial Truck Advisory: Westbound trucks required to stop at brake check area 0.5 mi west of Nyack to reduce risk of brake fires.

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

Weather Ahead: The Inversion Excursion

⚠️ Weather Advisories:

• None Active. No Winter Weather or Lake Wind Advisories.

The NWS Deep Dive (REV vs. STO):
We are entering a period of “Stuck on Repeat.” High pressure is firmly parked over Northern CA/NV, creating a classic Inversion Scenario.

1. The “Upside Down” Temps (Today - Midweek):

• NWS Reno (REV): Notes a dry pattern with daytime temps warming slowly. However, valley inversions will keep hazy skies and air quality reductions in play. Nuance: While valleys stay in the 50s (or colder in fog pockets like Mono Lake), high-elevation sites could peek at 60º degrees.

• NWS Sacramento (STO): Agrees on the “Amplifying Stationary Ridge.” Expect persistent low stratus/fog in the Central Valley, but warm and dry conditions for the upper foothills and mountains (Above the stratus).

2. The Ridge Winds (East Flow):

• The Nuance: While calm at lake level, Sierra ridges will see periodic breezy to gusty East winds.

• Timing: Best chances for gusts (40+ mph) are tonight into Wednesday, and again late Thursday. This creates the “Downslope” effect on the west side.

3. The Long Range (Hope on the Horizon?):

• REV mentions that longer-range guidance is hinting at a “signal” for more storm activity after January 21st. Until then, enjoy the sun and firm groomers.

Sierra Avalanche Centers

Central Sierra (Tahoe/Carson Pass):

• Status: Low / Generally Safe

• Issued: Monday, Jan 12 (Expires: Tuesday, Jan 13 @ 4:00 AM).

• Author: Steve Reynaud

• The Bottom Line: Avalanche activity continues to be unlikely. However, increased winds today could create some blowing snow at higher elevations. Watch for isolated instabilities in wind-loaded pockets.

• Link: Sierra Avalanche Center Forecast

Eastside Region (Mammoth):

• Status: Low / Wet Loose Concern

• Issued: Monday, Jan 12 (Expires: Tuesday, Jan 13 @ 7:00 AM).

• Author: Sean Smollen

• The Bottom Line: Wet loose avalanches will become more likely in the afternoon due to warming. Generally, safe conditions prevail for most of the day. Practice caution and choose shaded slopes to reduce risk.

• Link: Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center Forecast

✈️ Aviation Section

Current Status: VFR (with Fog Pockets)

• Fog Alert: Patchy Freezing Fog (FZFG) at KTRK (Truckee) is causing IFR/LIFR conditions at times until around 17Z today. It will likely return tonight between 08Z-17Z.

• Turbulence: E/NE winds aloft will increase to 30-40 kt over the Sierra Crest tonight through Wednesday morning. Expect areas of turbulence for flights crossing the Sierra.

• Vis: Minor slantwise visibility reductions due to haze in Western NV terminals.

⚓ Tahoe Mariners Forecast

Advisory: None.

• Today: Sunny. Light winds. Highs around 49. Wave Heights < 1 foot.

• Tonight: Clear. Light winds. Lows 30-38. Wave Heights < 1 foot.

• Wednesday: Sunny. Light winds. Highs around 50. Wave Heights < 1 foot.

• Water Temp: 44.5ºF.

The Bottom Line: We are locked in the “High Pressure” room. It’s an inverted world—warmer up top than down low. Today is for high-speed cruising on the #FreshCord, hunting the wind-buff on the East/North aspects, and soaking up the Vitamin D. Be mindful of that East wind kicking up on the ridges later today.

Stay’nThirsty for POW,

Coop | RS#69