katabatic

In deeply meteorological terms, a solid dusting so far. For a change, plenty cold at 27.3 with a stiff WNW breeze. Very light snow at the moment; looking forward to some heavier stuff as the day progresses.

1.02" in the bucket so far today & 41.0 delightful degrees. Looks like tomorrow will be a different story w/a 'reasonable worst case' 10 inches. At least I don't have to fly to Reno to get it lol.

Wisp's last day of operation (boo) is Sunday. Going to be a bit ironic that it should be a cold/snowy day there but unfortunately sandwiched between endless days in the 60s.

So it ends. Let the long journey home commence. Based on additional snowfall yesterday and last night, ended up with 130 inches. Too expensive, somewhat irresponsible, totally impulsive, achingly laborious. And I will look back with nary an ounce of regret as this was the best tasting chicken soup for the soul I could have imagined.

So it ends. Let the long journey home commence. Based on additional snowfall yesterday and last night, ended up with 130 inches. Too expensive, somewhat irresponsible, totally impulsive, achingly laborious. And I will look back with nary an ounce of regret as this was the best tasting chicken soup for the soul I could have imagined.

The wind kept the snow in the parking lot from completely burying the cars. Good news! The not so good news is what’s remaining is true Sierra Cement. A front loader and a spinning turbine should be here by noon so we can really start digging out. Impossible to say what the storm total was but after seeing some regional observations and talking with folks that live here, it’s a solid 120 inches…10 feet.

The wind kept the snow in the parking lot from completely burying the cars. Good news! The not so good news is what’s remaining is true Sierra Cement. A front loader and a spinning turbine should be here by noon so we can really start digging out. Impossible to say what the storm total was but after seeing some regional observations and talking with folks that live here, it’s a solid 120 inches…10 feet.

No kidding. It’s getting to be a pain traveling for storms! .

Greetings again from Donner! This epic storm continues. The entire front of the condo building has now disappeared. We’ve been taking turns at an entrance on the windward side, keeping that open (well, kinda) so at least we can get outside. To get this picture, I waded through waist to chest high snow. I have done multiple lake effect chases so I have seen some pretty intense snow but earlier today we had a thunderstorm that easily dropped 4 or 5 inches in 30 minutes. Still no power, no plow and no internet (phone works!) but warm and well fed. What a once in a lifetime experience for someone who loves this stuff.

Greetings again from Donner! The entire front of the four-story condo has now disappeared. We have been taking turns on a side entrance keeping that clear (well, kinda) so that at least we can get outside. I do a lot of lake effect chasing so I have seen some incredibly intense snowfall but we had a thunderstorm earlier today that easily dropped 4 or 5 inches in a 30 minute time span. Pretty epic storm.

I’m from the MidAtlantic forum and don’t post here but thought I would share with you a picture I just took of the condo I’m staying at Donner Pass in California. Our weather has been shitty so I decided to chase this epic Sierra snowstorm. Mind you, this building is four stories tall and it’s on the leeward side of the wind direction, but still….

This sure has been one hell of an adventure. I don’t have power, I don’t have Internet although my phone still works thankfully. The snowblower that the condo uses to dig us out is broken and they don’t think we’re gonna get any back up until at least Monday. I estimate we’ve had about 7 feet with another 4 to 6 to come. If I don’t get out on Monday which is when my flight is, Tuesday and Wednesday we’re going to get another 2 feet.

Airbnb…and a wide open wallet.

It’s still winter here for sure. We’re in a relative lull right now. Total estimate but so far 3 1/2 feet. About a half an hour ago. I heard this tremendous explosion and thought oh shit that’s a transformer that just blew. But the power stayed on and I heard a second explosion and then a third. It literally made the dishes rattle and it took me a minute to realize these explosions are the howitzers that they’re firing up on the mountain for avalanche control.

When the terms blowing and drifting made their way into the forecast, the Mets were on to something. Power has gone out twice but somehow miraculously came back on. No idea how much so far but at least a foot. Fortunately the condo has a facilities team who are keeping the lot passable. Updated P&C totals are insane.

Hey friend - hope you get across the mountains in good shape! Stay safe and carry all kinds of extra food/water/blankets with you. Have a great time in Park City.

Started out around 6 AM PT as rain, had about a hour of sleet and is now heavy snow. This is a pic from the balcony. Visbys alternate between ~1/8 and ~1/2 mile. I don’t have an anemometer but guessing gusts have been in the 40-50 range with a few touching 60. Closest reliable reporting station is Tahoe/Donner (TADC1) and says temp is 31 with similar wind reports.

Turning left out of the parking lot and this is the view. I’m up in the air which bodes well for maximizing snowfall.

Your yin to my yang. Calm before the storm here. Finally made it to Donner Summit last night - and now looking at a forecast for the ages. The pic is the entrance to my Airbnb condo. Will be interesting to see what it looks like post storm.

I live in Maryland but coming out to Donner ski area for the storm. Looking forward to being in your area!

According to NWS I’m in the 100+ inch zone at Donner. There is 3 extra bedrooms at this place…anybody wanna come and help me shovel lol

Already having flight drama but I will make this come hell or high…snow. Blizzard warning now up for 5-10 feet and 65 mph winds. My Airbnb is at 7,100 feet on the windward side of the Sierra. The condo is at the base of Donner ski resort so if there is anywhere that’s going to max out on QPF, this will be it. LFG!

We're getting to the point where snowfall amount probabilities in the Sierra/northeast CA won't even matter--being replaced by certainties. Snow amounts will be so much and difficult to accurately measure due to strong winds producing prolonged periods of near zero visibility, and blowing/drifting snow capable of burying vehicles and making it difficult to locate roads. Even walking outside would not be advised during this storm as a person could quickly become lost or disoriented. Its going to get chilly here, but this is the AFD for the Sierra Nevada. I'm chasing it. Flying out today at 4 PM to Reno and spending 6 nights up near Donner Pass. This should be the chase of a lifetime.

Their internal culture is pretty damn good. They treat their employees well. And while they may not have all the newest tools of the trade, they do everything they can to stay open for as long as they can. Tomorrow will be an awesome day for anyone going.

Yeah the forecast, with the exception of a couple nights next week, looks foreboding for folks at Wisp. It was packed today and my husband was on Lift 3 working...they all said the same thing. At least last season we had some cold air in March which allowed them to stay open until late March (barely), but that looks completely absent this year. I got 2.4" today so far in MLP which was a pleasant surprise, so maybe we'll have more surprises down the line.