Lake Tahoe Winter 2019-20 El Nino or La Nina? NOAA Three-Month Forecast

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Updated October 30, 2019

As of this article’s posting, we still have about 2 weeks until start of the 2019-20 Lake Tahoe winter ski season. Checking in with meteorologists at NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration seasonal climate outlooks for November – December – January 2019-20) reveals their long range winter forecast for 2019-2020 ski season to be a higher probability of an El Niño winter season which calls for a warmer than average winter across the United States especially the Sierras and Lake Tahoe.

Three-month precipitation outlook for winter of 2019-20

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Three-month temperature outlook for winter of 2019-20

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Specifically, the Pacific Northwest and the Northern Rockies will all see below average chances of precipitation from October through December. However, Colorado, parts of Utah, and the Southern Rockies are all expected to see above-average precipitation for the start of the season. New England is expected to see average precipitation throughout the start of the winter.

While predictions for low precipitation averages and warmer temperatures are not good news for powder chasers among us, it’s important to remember that this just an early forecast; bookmark this page to revisit as we’ll post updates as the season draws closer.

Keep in mind last season’s precipitation called for mostly average precipitation across much of the country, with higher than average precipitation in Colorado and much of the Rockies. This turned out to be incorrect, Utah and much of the Pacific Northwest saw average to higher than average precipitation totals.

If this ski season ends up bringing record low snowfall levels for the Lake Tahoe area, which season pass is a best value buy so you can have the option to ski other destinations blessed with fresh powder?

Answer: Check out THE MOUNTAIN COLLECTIVE PASS which includes 18 SKI RESORT DESTINATIONS. TWO DAYS AT EACH with no blackout dates with two days of bonus lift tickets at your choice Chamonix (France) or Valle Nevado (Chile). That’s a total of 36 lift tickets included with the pass. Unlimited 50% off single day lift tickets after the 2 days of lift tickets per resort, plus exclusive lodging deals at each resort destination.

The Climate Prediction Center defines. .

“El Niño conditions” as existing when:

A one-month positive sea surface temperature anomaly of 0.5C or greater is observed in the Niño-3.4 region of the equatorial Pacific Ocean (5oN-5oS, 120oW-170oW) and an expectation that the 3-month Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) threshold will be met AND

An atmospheric response typically associated with El Niño is observed over the equatorial Pacific Ocean (see The ENSO Cycle).

“La Niña conditions” as existing when:

A one-month negative sea surface temperature anomaly of -0.5C or less is observed in the Niño-3.4 region of the equatorial Pacific Ocean (5oN-5oS, 120oW-170oW) and an expectation that the 3-month Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) threshold will be met AND

An atmospheric response typically associated with La Niña is observed over the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

Source: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php

* Looking to create a ski lease members group to share the cost of a ski house/cabin lease? List your ski lease or advertise your vacation rental. Browse available ski leases to join or planning a Tahoe area vacation, browse rentals.

* What’s it like to ski/ride Japan’s famous dry champagne powder?

This season pass gives you two days of skiing / riding in Japan among 18 other resorts across Alberta, Australia, British Columbia, Chamonix (France) and Valle Nevado (Chile), California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, New Zealand, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming. For 2019-20 season, this pass enables you to go where there’s POWder galore!

Upcoming

+ Enjoy wine and beer tasting plus four free lift tickets; get 1`/2 off SNOWBOMB SKI SNOWBOARD FESTIVAL SHOW TICKETS

+ Check out our upcoming ski and snowboard preseason kick-off parties

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