The Morning Intel | Tahoe Sector Watch

Location: #HippieHaus | South Lake Tahoe, CA

Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

¡Buenos días, my friends! Cup'O'Joe in hand ~ #StokeLevelSteady.

It's #WisdomWednesday, and life's been good so far. It's a crisp start at 04:50 AM: 26º here at the Haus ~ fire stoked, a chilly 23º up in Truckee. But the big story is up at elevation: we finally hit the mark—16.8º with WetBulb temps sitting solid in the 15-18º zone. Hallelujah!

Finally, one of the many breaks the Mtn Teams have needed is in motion. A quick scan of the regional cams and SNOTEL data shows teams are taking full advantage of this cold snap. #MaNature is serving up a breezy day on the mountain today, with sub-zero wind chills on ridges and a rough, bumpity day on the waters of Tahoe.

The forecast remains dry: No significant storms through at least mid-next week, but a few light rain or snow showers are possible Friday or Saturday way, way North along the Oregon border.

Daily Ops Updates / Intel

🚠 Lifts Spinning: MammothMtn, Heavenly, Mt. Rose, Boreal.

🌬️ Wind Event: Ridge gusts 60+ mph today. Wind chills below zero. Lake Tahoe will be choppy.

❄️ Snowmaking: PRIME. Wet-bulb temps are in the sweet spot (15-18º).

🚗 Roads: ALL CLEAR. No chain controls on 50, 80, or 88.

The RS Mindset: It's a layer-up day; the wind is the price we pay for the cold air we need. While the storm door is closed, the snow guns are wide open. The early-bird gets the #FreshCord, AND note, there is a chance for #WindHolds with the forecasted wind speeds and directions - Currently E (82º) at 39/52mph in the Carson Pass zone… Just say’n :) 

Looking forward to the next 3–7 days:

• Potential Rain and Snow Outlook: Dry Pattern Continues. No significant storms through at least mid-next week. A few light showers are possible near the Oregon border Friday/Saturday, but Tahoe stays dry.

• Long Range Intel (Technical):

• The Weekend: A warming trend amplifies this weekend, with above-normal temperatures favored into next week. Highs could reach the low 60s in valleys (20 degrees above normal!).

• Next Week: The ridge nudges inland, keeping us warm and dry. Guidance hints at a system the following weekend, but confidence is low until models align.

• Snow Levels: N/A (Clear/Dry).

• Temperatures: Cold Today, Warming Later. Today is the coldest day of the week. Highs in the 30s/40s. A gradual warming trend starts Thursday, ramping up this weekend.

• Winds / Wind Conditions: Windy Today. Ridge gusts approaching 60 mph in the Tahoe Basin (sub-zero wind chills). Mono County ridge gusts 35-40 mph. Winds taper off after sunset.

• Road Conditions: ALL CLEAR. No chain controls. Watch for brake checks on I-80 West.

The Weather Ahead | Temperatures | Winds | Winter

Forecasted Temperatures (Today's High / Tonight's Low):

• #HippieHaus (SLT / 6,380'): 38° / 15°

• Kirkwood (Base / 7,800'): 31° / 12°

• Truckee (North Shore / 5,800'): 36° / 10°

• Mammoth Mtn (Base / 8,900'): 28° / 15°

Timing of wind direction/wind speeds: Gusty East/Northeast winds peaking this morning (60 mph ridges). Decreasing to 25 mph in the afternoon.

Seven(7) Day forecast (Lake Level Highs/Lows):

• Today (Wed): 38° / 15° (Windy, Cold)

• Thursday: 49° / 22° (Sunny, Warmer)

• Friday: 52° / 25° (Sunny)

• Saturday: 55° / 28° (Sunny, Mild)

• Sunday: 58° / 30° (Sunny)

• Monday: 60° / 32° (Sunny, Warm)

• Tuesday: 58° / 30° (Sunny)

Sierra Avalanche Center Reporting:

Sierra Avalanche Center (Tahoe / Carson Pass):

• Issued: Nov 28 at 12:02 PM.

• Status: #LowTide.

• Hazard: #SnowSharks.

• Discussion: Shallow snowpack with exposed obstacles remains the main hazard.

• Link: https://bit.ly/SierraAvyForecast

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (Mammoth Zone):

• Issued: Nov 28 at 10:02 AM.

• Status: #LowTide.

• Hazard: #SnowSharks.

• Link: https://bit.ly/EasternSierraAvalancheForecast

⚓ Marine Forecast for Lake Tahoe:

• Status: LAKE WIND ADVISORY in effect until 10 AM PST.

• TODAY: Partly cloudy. East winds 10-15 mph, Gusts to 30 mph. Wave Heights up to 2 feet.

• TONIGHT: Clear. East winds up to 10 mph. Wave Heights < 1 foot.

• THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Light winds. Highs around 49.

• Water Temp: 49.7°F.

• Mariner Note: Highly recommend a 4/3 or 5/3 wetty mate ~ It's f'n cold out there.

✈️ Aviation Forecast (Detailed for Pilots):

• Hazards: LLWS (Low-Level Wind Shear) and turbulence along/west of the Sierra today due to Easterly breezes.

• Gusts: Sierra terminals (KTRK/KTVL) could see gusts approach 20 kts this morning.

• VFR: Prevailing through Thursday.

Area Forecast Discussions (AFDs) Summaries

For #HippieHaus & Mammoth (NWS Reno):

• The Deep Dive: A dry cold front passed overnight, leaving behind colder air and easterly breezes. The ridge is positioned well off the West Coast, allowing shortwaves to graze us.

• Next Week's Pattern (The Shift): Into the next work week, the ridge nudges a bit inland, bringing more of its influence of warm and dry weather. At the same time, the ridge flattens a bit along the northern California border, keeping us from realizing a stronger late-season warmup.

• Temperature Anomalies: Even with the flattening, highs for western Nevada valleys look to be around 15 degrees above seasonal averages. Sierra valleys will also be hovering in the low 60s, which is almost 20 degrees above normal for early December.

• Long Range: Beyond next week, guidance is hinting at a system into the following weekend, but low confidence until better agreement emerges.

For Carson Pass / KirkwoodMtn Zone (NWS Sacramento):

• Mountain Focus: Clear, dry, and seasonable today, transitioning to the warming trend late week. No major weather impacts expected after today's breeze.

Summary: On this fine #WisdomWednesday, we celebrate the cold. It's exactly what the snowmakers ordered. While the winds are howling up high, the base is being built down low. Layer up if you're heading up and out—sub-zero wind chills are no joke. Enjoy the fresh cord, then stand-by for another warming trend heading into the weekend.

Stay'nThirsty for POW

Coop | RS#69

POWHUNT’n 24hr Snowfall Guidance West