Mike Pechner's Weather Blog

The Weather and You, by Meteorologist Mike Pechner
November 20, 2009

"Weather update for Thanksgiving and beyond"

  Despite the new snow in the High Sierra, some of the major ski resorts will not open until pre-arranged starting dates in the first part of December.  You can get the latest ski conditions and open resorts at: slidingonthecheap.com.   If your interest is cross country skiing you can do that right now in the back country of Donner Pass. Groomed trails emanating from Sierra Clubs' Clair Tappan Lodge at Norden connect the Lodge with the backside of Signal Butte and Donner Ski Ranch.  Clair Tappan is a great family place to stay whether you are downhill skiing at Sugar Bowl or cross country skiing at the Lodge.  You can find more information and make reservations by emailing ctlstaff2@onemain.com or call 530-426-3632.  U.C. Berkeley also has a lodge nearby.  The nights will be well below freezing throughout the High Sierra for the next week, allowing resort operators to make snow on top of the new pack. Clear skies and light north to northeast winds are expected during the Thanksgiving week with the next opportunity for new snow in the Sierra late next weekend. Highs will be in the upper 30's to mid 40's and overnight lows 15 to 20 during this period. Here in the Bay Area, Thanksgiving Day will dawn cold and clear with local frost and be sunny and mild in the afternoon with highs in the 60's to low 70's with light offshore winds.

 Your car thermometer can be a useful tool to determine road conditions and chain controls points on I-80 and U.S. 50.  Both highways have signs that mark the elevation every thousand feet.  During dry conditions, air cools at the rate of 5.5 degrees per thousand feet and around 3 degrees when it is raining or snowing. On 80, if it is 43 degrees and raining at Colfax, elevation 2500'; the temperature must fall at least 10 degrees to around 32 for the rain to change to snow. The temperature will decrease 3 degrees for every 1000 vertical feet and ten degrees in 3000 ft. This would put the snow level at 5500' or at the top of the Blue Canyon grade.  Snow starts to stick around 31, so you might expect the chain control point around Nyack. At night, the car thermometer can tell you when the road is icy especially after it has been cleared after a new snowfall.  Caltrans does a good job of sanding the highway, however black ice is always a concern and once your car thermometer reaches 32, ice my be present and you should drive with caution.  You can get the latest California road conditions from Caltrans at 800-427-ROAD.   

   Finally, the opinions expressed in this BLOG are my own.  If you are interested in sponsoring this blog or my weekend weather broadcasts, please contact the KCBS Sales Team at 415-765-4165. Share the road with cyclists and drive safely.