{"id":1777246,"date":"2026-02-18T07:19:33","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T04:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1777246"},"modified":"2026-02-18T07:19:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T04:19:33","slug":"blizzard-slams-palisades-tahoe-ca-with-30-inches-in-12-hours-forcing-midday-closure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1777246","title":{"rendered":"Blizzard Slams Palisades Tahoe, CA, With 30+ Inches in 12 Hours, Forcing Midday Closure"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_391559\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-391559\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-391559 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAIzAQMAAACqXTq7AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAENJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAO4NsiMAAVVTTD8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"563\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2758-e1771399005316.jpeg?resize=640%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2758-e1771399005316.jpeg?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2758-e1771399005316.jpeg?resize=300%2C264&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2758-e1771399005316.jpeg?resize=1200%2C1056&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2758-e1771399005316.jpeg?resize=768%2C676&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2758-e1771399005316.jpeg?resize=600%2C528&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2758-e1771399005316.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"563\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-391559\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_2758-e1771399005316.jpeg?resize=640%2C563&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"563\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-391559\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Palisades Tahoe was forced to close today, February 17. | Image: Palisades Tahoe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-2-45679866\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-2-45679866\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"2\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-1-53489564\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-1-53489564\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"1\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>A powerful Sierra storm has overwhelmed expectations and forced Palisades Tahoe to shut down operations mid-day on February 17 after more than 30 inches of snow fell in just 12 hours at 8,200 feet. <\/strong>Resort officials said the storm \u201cescalated well beyond early expectations,\u201d delivering intense snowfall, strong winds, and rapidly deteriorating visibility across both Palisades and Alpine Meadows.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/snowbrains-forecast-massive-storm-will-drop-100-inches-on-california-this-week\/\"><em><strong>SnowBrains Forecast: Massive Storm Will Drop 100 Inches on California This Week<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cold air wrapping into the system has produced exceptionally light, low-density snow\u2014\u201ca true midwinter treat,\u201d according to the resort\u2014but that same combination of wind and heavy accumulation has created a highly complex and hazardous operating environment.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>After opening lifts Tuesday morning, the resort was forced to close by mid-day as winds intensified and visibility worsened.<\/strong> \u201cIncreasing winds, deteriorating visibility, and continued heavy snowfall created complex conditions for both lift operations and snow safety,\u201d the resort said in a statement, noting the closure was made for the safety of both guests and employees.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The storm currently pounding California is part of a powerful Pacific system that has tapped into cold air and deep moisture, bringing heavy snow to the Sierra Nevada and unusually low snow levels.<\/strong> Snow levels are expected to drop to near 1,000 feet, with overnight temperatures falling into the teens over the coming days\u2014conditions more typical of midwinter than late season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If forecasts verify, Palisades Tahoe could see an additional 50 inches of snow by week\u2019s end, pushing storm totals into truly massive territory. <\/strong>While powder seekers may celebrate, the intensity of the storm presents serious operational challenges.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Avalanche danger remains considerable as fresh snow continues to rapidly load onto an existing snow surface that is not strongly bonded.<\/strong> That combination requires extensive mitigation work before terrain can reopen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Resort officials emphasized that significant on-mountain travel restrictions are currently in place.<\/strong> Ski patrol, lift operations, grooming crews, and mountain operations teams are working continuously, but access has become the primary obstacle. \u201cNo snowcats will be able to run tonight,\u201d the resort stated, meaning crews are limited in their ability to maintain or restore primary mountain access routes. Patrol currently has only limited ability to reach terrain and conduct avalanche control work.<\/p>\n<p><strong>With ridgetop winds howling and heavy snowfall continuing through the heart of the storm cycle, conditions remain dynamic and potentially dangerous.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>For now, the focus is on safety and storm management.<\/strong> If the forecast holds, the Sierra could emerge from this cycle buried under feet of cold smoke powder\u2014but only once crews can safely regain control of the mountain.<\/p>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 2 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Palisades Tahoe was forced to close today, February 17. | Image: Palisades Tahoe A powerful Sierra storm has overwhelmed expectations and forced Palisades Tahoe to shut down operations mid-day on February 17 after more than 30 inches of snow fell in just 12 hours at 8,200 feet. Resort officials said the storm \u201cescalated well beyond [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-1777246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1777246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1777246"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1777246\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1777246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1777246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1777246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}