Lake Tahoe: Drought, climate change threatening winter, way of life at iconic landmark

[Newsjock]

Source: San Jose Mercury News

There's something disconcerting about life at Lake Tahoe these days.

It's still winter, but visitors are renting bikes instead of snowshoes and kayaks instead of skis. Come summer -- without last-ditch torrential rains -- the lake level is expected to be at such a historic low that some marinas will have to dredge for boats to launch. Jumping off the end of a pier could result in a rock-hard landing.

California's epic drought, entering its perilous fourth year, has combined with a pattern of warming temperatures to cast a "Twilight Zone" quality on one of the state's most popular winter destinations and iconic landmarks.

... Long-term predictions by Lake Tahoe scientists warn that by the end of the century, summers could be two months longer and temperatures 8 degrees hotter than when Squaw Valley hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. ... Though this year is extreme, experts say get used to it. Droughts will become more frequent and temperatures will continue to rise.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/drought/ci_27712978/lake-tahoe-drought-climate-change-threatening-winter-way

[hr]
And this just in from the National Weather Service:

Record Report
Statement as of 05:40 PM PDT on March 14, 2015

... Record high temperature set at South Lake Tahoe CA... a record high temperature of 67 degrees was set at South Lake Tahoe CA today. This ties the old record of 67 set in 2013.

[Newsjock]

1. And today in the Central Valley ...

http://www.fresnobee.com/2015/03/14/4427494_fresno-other-valley-cities-set.html

The National Weather Service in Hanford reported that Fresno thermometers peaked at 88 degrees, four above the record high set in 2013.

... Hanford’s high of 89 was three degrees above the record set in 2007, and Madera’s high of 88 was five degrees above another record set in 2007. Bakersfield’s high of 91 broke a 99-year record by three degrees, and Merced also edged its temperature record by three degrees with a high of 84.

[kwassa]

2. I got snowed on at Lake Tahoe, on Memorial Day weekend ....

about 20 years ago. We were late, it was middle of the night, we had to go around the lake the long way because of a rock slide. We ended up in a white-out blizzard. It was actually June 1st.

We reached our cabin, finally, and then got up early to photograph the snow-covered mountains before it all melted away.

Here on the east coast, we've had one of the coldest and snowiest winters ever. I also lived through a 7-year drought in California that did come to an end in the late 80s and early 90s.

[calimary]

3. Oh man...

It was hot here in L.A. today, too. Unseasonably. Gonna be 90 tomorrow (Sunday).

[AverageJoe90]

4. Decent article, but one question:

When they said Lake Tahoe temps might rise by 8 degrees, what scenario were they using: the oft-quoted "business as usual" scenario(~3.5-4*C by 2100), or something else? Important question, btw.

[cilla4progress]

5. I guess I'm glad I only have

20 or so years left on this plane.

My poor daughter though. She loves snow, winter and skiing. 😞

[winstars]

6. I think like that sometimes too. Its weird to think it but theres no denying it!!! Not here forever.

[shanti]

7. Time to move n/t