December 2: Predicting Winter Weather

Back by popular demand, meteorologist Chris Smallcomb of the NOAA National Weather Service in Reno returns to share the latest... Join UC Davis for a lecture at the Tahoe Science Center in Incline Village. Back by popular demand, meteorologist Chris Smallcomb of the NOAA National Weather Service in Reno returns to share the latest outlook for winter in the Sierra Nevada. How is the season shaping up, and what might the potentially record-setting El Niño mean for snow, rain, temperatures, and drought conditions in the Lake Tahoe region? Smallcomb will explain the forces influencing our weather, compare current conditions with past strong El Niño winters, and explore what the latest forecasts suggest for the months ahead. Learn why even a strong El Niño does not guarantee a particular outcome—and what forecasters can and cannot predict about Tahoe’s notoriously variable winter weather. Chris Smallcomb is the Meteorologist in Charge for the NOAA National Weather Service in Reno and has nearly 20 years experience with the region's weather extremes. He specializes in translating complex weather and climate information into practical guidance for communities throughout the Sierra Nevada and western Nevada. Chris helps explain regional weather patterns, winter storms, wildfire conditions, and the challenges of forecasting in the mountains. In-person Event Details Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Presentation begins at 6:00 p.m. Location: Tahoe Science Center, 201 Country Club Dr., Incline Village, NV 89451 ***Parking is free after 5:00 pm. Light snacks provided by Chef Scott Yorkey and a no-host bar is available. Tickets: Tickets purchased in advance are $10 through Eventbrite and free for students with a student ID. Tickets at the door are $15. For more information, call 775-881-7560, ext. 7566, or email [email protected].