DECEMBER 2025 SUMMARY

PRECIP: December continues our above average precip with 3.88" recorded. NOAA and PRISM normals are 2.03" and 1.75" respectively. Unfortunately, with only 1" of snow recorded (!!!) it all fell as rain so snow totals are WAY below average. This is causing big trouble in the mountains where snow levels have been ~8K' giving all Tahoe resorts rain at the lower levels. The Sierra snowpack is almost non-existent and there has been extensive flooding on the west side of the mountains. Mt. Rose however, with a base of 8260', is getting all snow so they have probably the best snowpack in the entire west. Most western resorts are having a dismal year so far with meager bases and little terrain open. Vail for example has only an 18" base. Fortunately a couple of epic Sierra storm rolled in over the holidays dumping several feet of snow in the mountains. That said, these storms were still warm so the SWRs were around 6:1... can you say Sierra Cement? We did NOT go skiing.

TEMPS: Needless to say it has been warm. Average highs were 53' which is WAY above average and minimum lows averaged only 26', so the warm temps continue for another month. This makes four months in a row with warmer than average temps... good for outside work and recreation but bad for snowpack and skiing. Global warming anyone?

WINDS: A very calm first half of the month made way for storms and high winds in the second half with peak gusts in the 40 mph range.

SUMMARY: Well, it was a good month and a bad month: good for outdoor activities, bad for skiing. Been getting a lot of farm chores done before the winter, should it ever hit. We got a little white Christmas a day late with that 1" of snow, but for December, it was kind of sad. Let's see what the new year brings.