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| All Sierra Weather |
Northern Sierra Weather |
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Southern Sierra Weather |
Lake Tahoe Basin Region Weather |
Lake Tahoe Basin Weather Map |
Carson Pass Region Weather | Gear |
South Lake Tahoe Backpacker
Weather Resources
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Location
Latest
2018
All High Sierra Reporting Stations
The Range of Light Besides Tahoe Basin weather information we also find links to information further South down the trails, including the maps, miles, elevations, resupply, permit, and even more information, for those hiking the PCT and TYT South around the Tahoe Basin continuing down the Sierra Crest from here, and along both these trail routes to our South. This Page, and the Tahoe Basin Mark the Northern Limit of the |
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| Forecasts, Road Conditions, and Web Cams |
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Lake Tahoe Region Forecast |
Road ConditionsCalTrans
Cal Trans Road Conditions Search
Cal Trans Road Conditions Phone Line 1-800.427.7623 |
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NWS 7 Day Graphical Forecast South Lake Tahoe Region In-Depth Weather Forecast |
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All Precipation Forecast Models
Use these tools to investigate all aspects of the 7 Day High Sierra Forecasts. |
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Sierra Nevada Mountain Backpacker |
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Current to 7 Day |
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| All Precipitation Information | National Radar Map |
Northern Sierra Nevada |
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| Water Vapor Loop North Pacific and Sierra Nevada Satellite Imagery  |
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| All Visible Satellites | All Vapor Satellites |
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Reporting Stations |
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| Weather Station MAPS
All High Sierra Reporting Stations
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| Linked MAPS |
KEY Southwest Lake Tahoe Stations |
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The first link below bring you to an expansive map of Northern California Real-Time reporting stations.
MESOWEST More
The link below, to California State reporting station brings you to a lousy map interface, but it works...
CALIFORNIA STATE
All Federal
Classic Local Backpacking Desolation Wilderness Backpacking Map Meiss Country Roadless Area Backpacking Map
South Lake Tahoe
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Along the TYT-PCT
#1> RUBICON #2 Location: Near Desolation Wilderness between Stony Ridge Lake and Highway 89 on the East side of Rubicon Peak. Topo Map. Site Information and Reports from RUBICON 2 Daily Report from RUBICON #2 Latitude: 38 deg 59’ Longitude: -120 deg 7’ Elevation: 7689 feet
#2> Fallen Leaf Location: Just North of Camp Richardson on Highway 89. Topo Map. Site Information and Reports from Fallen Leaf Daily Report from Fallen Leaf Latitude: 38 deg 56' Longitude: -120 deg 3' Elevation: 6236 feet
#3> ECHO PEAK Location: North of Upper Echo Lake, Desolation Wilderness. Topo Map. Site Information and Reports from ECHO PEAK Daily Report from ECHO PEAK Latitude: 38 deg 50' Longitude: -120 deg 4' Elevation: 7670 feet
Mesowest Echo Summit Highway 50 Meyers: Highway 50 & 89 Real Time Ground Reporting Stations Planning our gear selection for our hike South from Lake Tahoe we have referred to a reasonable selection of real-time ground reporting stations that inform about temp, wind, rain, snow, and humidity. This real-time data gives us both current and historical knowledge of the range of temperatures we can expect to experience at various points down the trail. This information establishes our gear selection range. |
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snow probability |
weather & temp predictions |
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| Fall, Winter, and Spring. | Fall, Winter, and Spring. | Good for Summer hot & cold trends. |
ALL SNOW
Forecasts & Data
High Sierra Backpacker Weather Page
Trail Guide Information |
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This Weather Page, like the trail guide it is a part of, covers the High Sierra Trails from Meeks Bay along the Western Shore of Lake Tahoe down to the Mount Whitney Portal. Therefore the trail guide begins in Desolation Wilderness and passes South through the Meiss Country Roadless Area before exiting the Lake Tahoe Basin just a bit North of Carson Pass. National Forests around Lake Tahoe between Highway 89, 50, and 88 All land that drains into Lake Tahoe is defined as part of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. For the purposes of this trail guide the pertinent zones within the LTBMU are Desolation Wilderness and Meiss Country Roadless Area. Desolation Wilderness is the busiest wilderness in the country. Permits may be difficult to obtain during the high Summer backpacking season. Meiss Country requires no permits, though these areas are a stone's throw from each other. |
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Maps Desolation Wilderness
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Miles & Elevations
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Trail Guide Maps
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High Sierra Nevada
Hiker's Weather Resources
Trail Guide Construction Note: As of June 2012 I am reworking these long-static draft High Sierra Weather Pages. Have you any good weather information you want to see up here? Email me. |
North: NORTHERN SIERRA WEATHER South: CARSON PASS
| Ready for the Range of Weather in the Range of Light? Basic Facts |
Basic High Sierra WeatherResources for the Backpacker |
The Sierra Crest is noted for having the capacity to produce four seasons of weather during a single Summer Day. Rain, snow, hail, fog, lightening, and a bit of sunshine can all happen in quick sequence. The High Sierras are noted for rapid changes in weather and temperature, and the sudden appearance of harsh weather trends. You may experience anything from intense heat to bitterly cold Summer snow storms. Or you may not. In any case, weather must be considered and proper gear preparations made to deal with the range of weather BEFORE entering the High Sierras. Long Distance Backpackers who were on the High Sierra Crest in early August of 2009 (and July of 2015) experienced just such a series of Summer Snow Storms. Temperatures dropped to the high teens and low twenties, snow and hail fell which partially obscured the trails, and all of those who entertained the misconception that the Sierras only have fine weather during the Summertime were bitterly disappointed. Luckily for the many backcountry travelers who were not properly prepared, those storms blew apart, rather than consolidated and deepened. (The 2015 storms had their way) Weather considerations should guide your gear selection. |
Weather Preparations for Backcountry TravelAll Seasons
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Backpacker ForumsHave a great Sierra Nevada route or trip to relate?Post it on Anyone can post up comments and questions in existing topics posted on the High Sierra Backpacking Trails Forums or in the High Sierra Backpacking Topics Forums. If you have comments about weather conditions in the Lake Tahoe Basin, this is the place to post up:Desolation Wilderness Weather |
North: NORTHERN SIERRA WEATHER South: CARSON PASS
Trailhead
Contact
Alex Wierbinski
Backpacking Lake Tahoe to Mount Whitney
Your guide to the High Sierra Crest, including the Tahoe to Yosemite, Pacific Crest, and John Muir Trails
