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Tahoe Nugget #36:
Nevada Snow Thrower in Action
Nice powder storm yesterday (18 inches here in Carnelian Bay - 36 in the higher mountains.) Wind gusts exceeded 100 mph over the ridges - typical for a powerful winter storm in these parts. Top wind speed that
I'm aware of is a 183 mph gust over Squaw Valley a few years ago. The rule of thumb in the Central Sierra is a snow ratio of about 12 to 1, meaning one inch of water (rain) produces about 12 inches of snow. In
contrast to this season's persistent mild and wet pattern, cold air was channeled into this storm so the snow during this recent event was relatively dry with a ratio of about 14 or 15 to 1. Not Utah, but
definitely not Sierra cement. It was a pleasure to shovel. Well, almost.
Made some free time today to hit Mt. Rose for cross-country skiing. Conditions were exceptional. There was so much fresh snow up there
that when I plunged my ski pole into the pack, I had to hold the basket so I wouldn't lose the pole. The first day after the big storm and virtually all roads are free and clear. It doesn't happen that way
without serious effort by an army of plow operators and their armada of equipment. Saw this rig today on the Mt. Rose Highway making snow removal look easy.
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