Currently 38° · Sunny
South Lake Tahoe, CA, United States
 Today | 54°24° | Partly sunny |
 Tuesday | 57°24° | The temperature tying the record from 1979 with sun and areas of high clouds |
| Wednesday | 57°21° | Periods of sun |
 Thursday | 58°20° | Warm with the temperature approaching the record of 15 set in 1990 with plenty of sunshine |
| Friday | 59°26° | The temperature breaking the record of 12 set in 2008 with plenty of sunshine |
| Saturday | 57°28° | Mostly sunny with the temperature breaking the record of 13 set in 2004 |
| Sunday | 54°31° | Intervals of clouds and sunshine |
That’s a major departure from the “classic” Tahoe December climate: on average, the month brings nearly 22 inches (about 561 mm) of snowfall and snowfall somewhere on 12–13 days of the month. Weather Atlas
Notably, those averages don’t match what we’ve seen so far: despite some rainy and stormy days over the past month, snow has stubbornly stayed high in the peaks — and almost nowhere near the lake level. South Tahoe Now+2South Tahoe Now+2
What This Means for Snow Removal Business
For homeowners, commercial property managers, and rental owners around South Lake Tahoe, this early-season weather has a few important implications:
- Snow removal demand is low for now. With dry weather and above-average highs, there’s little incentive for driveway clearing around the lake.
- But watch for sudden swings. The snow that’s missing today makes it more likely that when a big storm does come, it will dump large amounts at once — straining services and creating short-notice demand.
- Plan for flexibility. Because snow is piling up at higher elevations but not at lake level, you may get unexpected calls for clearing after a high-elevation snow dump followed by cold air and snowmelt runoff.
What the Forecast (and Experts) Are Saying
Recent updates from the region paint a cautious picture. The National Weather Service (NWS Reno) recently issued a “Winter Weather Advisory” for upper elevations above 8,000 feet — calling for up to 6 inches of snow there, with much less expected closer to the lake. South Tahoe Now
Earlier this fall, a bigger “Winter Storm Warning” had been in effect, forecasting snow above 7,000 feet and light snow (1–3 inches) at lake level. That storm, like many this season, wound up producing minimal accumulation down the slopes, with most of it fizzing out before it could settle near town. South Tahoe Now+1
Local coverage suggests we could see incoming storms later this week — though rainfall rather than snow at lake level seems most likely, given temperature profiles and the elevation bands of precipitation. South Tahoe Now+1
Meanwhile, a broader regional story: many ski resorts across California are delaying their opening this year — not because there’s no snow at all, but because the warm, inconsistent conditions make it hard to guarantee enough base at lower elevations. Los Angeles Times+1
What Locals Are Saying
From community forums and local chatter, there’s a sense of concern, frustration — and some cautious optimism. On a local forum a few days ago, one long-time Tahoe resident summed it up well:
“The snowpack is also melting faster and faster each year… Tahoe season is always a late-starter… but zero skiable snow (which is basically Palisades) is fairly alarming.” reddit.com
Others point out that a dry start doesn’t always mean a dry season — sometimes the big dumps come later, and when they do, everything happens fast.
For a snow-removal business, that sort of unpredictability can be a double-edged sword: quieter now, but potentially very busy when the snow finally arrives.
How We’re Preparing — And What You Should Ask Us
At Sierra Nevada Snow Removal, we’re using this lull to get ahead:
- Equipment maintenance & readiness: We’re checking and tuning plows, shovels, salt supplies, and snow-blowers now so we’re ready if — or when — conditions change.
- Flexible scheduling: We offer both season contracts and one-time snow removal
- Communication with clients: We’re encouraging clients to watch forecasts carefully, and to let us know when they see snow or ice conditions even if the town looks clear.
If you own a home, rental, vacation property or business around South Lake Tahoe — especially one that sits on a slope or has guest/visitor traffic — now’s a smart time to think ahead. Reach out and we’ll help you hammer out a “storm-ready” plan so you don’t get caught off guard.
As this winter unfolds, we’ll continue to watch the weather, keep our gear ready — and stay alert for the next big storm. If you’re a homeowner, HOA board, vacation-rental owner, or local business interested in a flexible snow-removal plan, we’d be happy to help you build one. Stay safe, stay warm — and stay snow-ready.