What is the average snowfall for Donner Pass?

Those sheds, the iconic image of Donner Summit, were built of course because the railraod builders had no idea there could be so much snow - an annual average of 34 feet.

How many feet of snow did Donner Pass get?

The peak snow depth was somewhere between 15 to 20 feet deep at Donner Lake. Trees cut off at snow level by the emigrants ranged from 15 to 18 feet in height when the snow was gone, indicative of the exceptional snowpack that winter.

Does Donner Pass have snow?

Series of late-season storms blanket Donner Summit, Lake Tahoe with several inches to feet of snow.

Are chains required on I-80 Donner Pass?

Where are chains required? Chains are most often required in the higher mountain passes of northern California, such as Interstate 5 north of Redding, Interstate 80 over Donner Pass between Sacramento and Reno, Nevada, and US Highway 50 over Echo summit between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento.

How deep is the snow in Truckee?

On most winter days, Truckee has at least five inches of snow on the ground. Snow usually accumulates to ten or more inches deep from December to April. Truckee averages 64 days a year when the snow depth reaches 20 inches or more.

Verify: Did 12 feet of snow fall on Donner Summit?

Who got 17 feet of snow?

Schwartz's snow lab -- where the 17 feet of snow fell in December -- got just 9 inches in January. Twenty out of the state's 30 major climate stations reported their top five driest Januarys on record.

How much snow did Donner Pass get in December 2021?

At the University of California, Berkeley's Central Sierra Snow Laboratory near Donner Pass, 193.7 inches – over 16 feet – of snow has piled up in the final month of 2021, breaking the old December record of 179 inches set back in 1970, according to the lab. For our metric friends!

When did it start snowing on the Donner Party?

Season's first snow on Donner Peak

The late October storm in 1846 was cold enough to cover the lower elevations with an inch or two of snow, which slowed the progress of the rear guard of settlers that included the two Donner families.

Where is the most snow in California?

Kirkwood - Snow Score - 82.7

For this reason, Kirkwood should be recognized as the undisputed king of snow within the state of California. Kirkwood is part of the Tahoe region, but it's well south of Lake Tahoe itself, making it a bit harder to get to compared with ski resorts closer to the Lake and I-80.

How deep is the snowpack in the Sierras?

The results concluded the area has a snow depth of 78.5 inches and a water content of 20 inches, according to Sean de Guzman, manager of DWR's Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit.

Who got 8 feet of snow?

Since Saturday, the Sierra Nevada mountain range received 8 feet of snow … and still counting. Most notably, June Mountain's unofficial count was 72 inches in 24 hours, beating the record held by Echo Summit, of most snow received in California in a 24-hour timeframe.

Does it snow in Truckee in December?

The average sliding 31-day snowfall during December in Truckee is very rapidly increasing, starting the month at 11.1 inches, when it rarely exceeds 27.2 inches or falls below 1.4 inches, and ending the month at 17.0 inches, when it rarely exceeds 38.4 inches or falls below 1.2 inches.

How is the Sierra snowpack?

The mountain snowpack, as measured by snow sensors across the Sierras, now stands at just 38% of the long-term average. State officials stood on bare ground at a snow survey site in the mountains on Friday, saying the paltry snowpack reflects the state's accelerating water challenges with climate change.

What is the record snowfall in Truckee California?

Greatest Snowfall in One Season:

150.8 inches – The greatest cumulative snow fall for Truckee, California.

What's the snowiest city in America?

1. Syracuse, New York: 127.8 inches. Syracuse takes home the crown as the snowiest city in America, averaging 127.8 inches each winter. That's just shy of 11 feet of snow, most of which is courtesy of the large body of water to its northwest: Lake Ontario.

What part of Lake Tahoe gets the most snow?

Sugar Bowl—Snow Score: 70.3

Historically, it receives more than 90 inches of snow in 39.5 percent of its winter months. Sugar Bowl is also just before Donner Pass, named after the infamous Donner Party, that met their demise and further cementing how intense these freak winter snowstorms can be.

Are snow socks legal in California?

California has approved the AutoSock as an alternative traction device to chains except if/when DOT determines that chains are required and no other traction device will suffice.

Do you need snow chains with AWD?

But it's a common misperception that AWDs will drive like tanks in slick conditions. It's recommended that you have either winter tires or snow chains on your AWD if you're driving in a blizzard or icy conditions. Traveling with summer or worn all-season tires on any vehicle in winter is a safety risk.

Do you need chains on Donner Pass right now?

Requirement Three (R3): Chains are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.