From A Late Winter, To An Average-ish Winter, To A “Gale Force Blizzard”!
DISCLAIMER: Elements Mountain Company has been clearing Tahoe Donner for 45 years and we are making observations based on years served.
If you have spent enough time in Truckee during our winters then you have most likely heard the term “Miracle March” which was coined back in 1991 after a snowstorm hit this town on March 1 increasing snowpack from 15% of average to 73% by the end of the month. While the current winter did get a late start, our snowpack on the ground was trending at an average rate. And then we got slammed with one of the heaviest 3-day storms we have seen in the last 4 years.
Look. This storm was definitely a big one. No denying it at all, but is it a Miracle March status storm? Not by a long shot. In 1991 we entered into March at 15% total snowpack and had cleared a total of 7 times over the past few winter months. In March of 1991, we cleared 21 of the 31 days that year and, on average, we run clearing operations 21 days each full winter season. Following the advent of Miracle March, we did not see another record-breaking March until 2018 when the snowpack increased from 32% of normal to 77% with a total of 12 feet of snow.
We have been clearing driveways here in Truckee, California since 1979 and we have seen some other area’s largest storms on record. So we may still be recuperating from this last storm’s intensity, but we are pretty happy that March hasn’t been near as big as the March of 1991 or the March of 2018.
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Our team has over 40 years of experience with deep local knowledge, skilled craftsmanship, and an unmatched passion to keep your mountain life moving. Client communication and partnership are top priorities in all our projects. We understand that your mountain home is your haven. We’re here to ensure the maintenance and upkeep process is enjoyable, on time, and within budget.
