We have had 2 storms already this week that have dropped up to 22 inches on the upper mountains.  We have a break today (Monday), but it's short-lived as another storm moves through tonight into Tuesday.  Showery and cool weather could hang around through the weekend.

It's a cold and clear morning here in the Tahoe basin.  Temperatures are in the 20's with light winds.  Sunday morning was another fresh tracks morning as 1-5 inches of snow fell across the basin Saturday night.  That was on top of 6-18 inches from Thursday night.  We now have seen more snow recorded for May by the open ski resorts than what they recorded for the entire month of April.

Mostly sunny for Monday with highs in the 40's at lake level and 30's on the upper mountains.  The winds will increase Monday afternoon with upper mountain gusts to 40+ mph.

Storm #3:

Showers should increase Monday night as the next storm moves in from the northwest.  Snow levels start out below lake level and could dip to 5,000 feet Tuesday morning.  The heaviest snow could fall Tuesday morning, with showers lingering into Tuesday night as the low moves to our south.

The forecast models had some wetter runs yesterday, but have pulled back again this morning.  The European model is the wettest with up to 7 tenths of an inch of total precipitation and the NAM the driest with 4 tenths along the crest.  The GFS has around half an inch on the latest run with lesser amounts east across the basing.

Overall no change to the forecast based on the latest model runs.  Still expecting a possible 3-6 inches of snow for the upper mountains on the west side of the lake by Tuesday evening, and 1-3 inches on the east side.  That could come as 1-2 inches overnight, and 2-4 inches Tuesday.  Below 7,000 feet 1-3 inches and maybe a coating to an inch at lake level.  

Highs only in the 30's for Tuesday.  Winds look to be strongest Monday night and then come down on Tuesday.  We could see gusts to 50 mph on the ridges Tuesday morning possibly delaying lift openings at Squaw, but they should drop through the day.

Into the Holiday Weekend:

The trough shifts east a bit starting Wednesday, but hangs back over the Western U.S. through the weekend, and maybe even until the end of May.  Several systems may drop into the trough from the north, mainly to our east.  That will keep us cool with highs only in the 40's and 50's through the weekend.  It also means we could see showers each day through the weekend, the best chance in the afternoons.

A trough moving through Saturday may bring the best shot at showers.  The snow levels rise into the weekend, so any snow should stay above 8,000 feet with mainly rain showers for most locations.  Just a heads up if you planned to hike in Tahoe this weekend.  It will be cold and you could see snow on the peaks.

Long-Range:

The long-range models suggest that high pressure could finally build in over the West Coast going into June.  Maybe Summer will finally come and stay for a few months.

Stay tuned...BA

Ski Resorts Still Operating:

Squaw - Open 7-days a week through Memorial Day, then open weekends through 7/7 (conditions permitting)

Heavenly - Re-opening one last time for Memorial Day Weekend.