Palisades Tahoe Snowstorm Dropped 9.5 Feet in Four Days
Updated September 7, 2026.
A major Sierra storm dropped 9.5 feet of snow on the upper mountain at Palisades Tahoe over four days in February 2026. The resort reported seven feet at its base and a season-to-date total of 278 inches after the storm.
This page preserves the storm as a historical weather report. It is not a current snow or road update.
Final Palisades Tahoe Storm Total
Palisades Tahoe’s final report on February 20 said another 18 inches fell Thursday, bringing the four-day total to 9.5 feet on the upper mountain and seven feet at the base.
The resort said its season snowfall had reached 278 inches, roughly 105 percent of average for that point in the season.
Read the official Palisades Tahoe storm report.
Why the February 2026 Storm Stood Out
Palisades later said the February 16 through February 20 period produced the most snow accumulation in a five-day period since 1982, according to the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab. Snowfall rates exceeded four inches per hour at times, while ridgetop winds topped 90 mph.
The combination of rapid snowfall, high wind, cold temperatures and a firm underlying surface created difficult operating conditions and elevated avalanche hazards.
Resort Operations and Safety
Large snowfall totals do not guarantee immediate access to every lift or trail. Ski patrol, lift maintenance, road crews and avalanche-control teams may need hours or days to make terrain and transportation safe after a major storm.
Visitors should check the resort’s official operations report, road conditions and live cameras before leaving lodging. Do not use a historical storm total to judge current conditions.
Check Current Lake Tahoe Snow and Roads
- Lake Tahoe conditions: roads, weather, snow and cameras
- Donner Pass and Interstate 80 live cameras
- Lake Tahoe ski resort cameras
- Lake Tahoe ski resort comparison
- Lake Tahoe weather by month
Frequently Asked Questions
How much snow did Palisades Tahoe get in the February 2026 storm?
The resort’s final report listed 9.5 feet on the upper mountain and seven feet at the base over four days.
Was it the snowiest five-day period on record?
Palisades said the February 16 through February 20 period was the largest five-day accumulation since 1982, based on Central Sierra Snow Lab data.
Is this a current Lake Tahoe snow report?
No. This is a historical recap of the February 2026 storm. Use current official resort, road and weather tools before traveling.