News
TAHOE/TRUCKEE — A winter storm that began late Tuesday is expected to bring nearly a foot of snow to the high Sierra by the time night falls Wednes day — and with it, dangerous road conditions, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.
A winter storm warning began 11 p.m. Tuesday and will last until 2 p.m. Wednesday; with it comes five to 10 inches of snow above 7,000 feet by nightfall, with a couple slushy inches possible at lake level.
Winds will be significant Wednes day, NWS reports, with lake-level gusts expected at 40 mph, and 100 mph gusts possible along the Sierra ridge.
A winter storm warning began 11 p.m. Tuesday and will last until 2 p.m. Wednesday; with it comes five to 10 inches of snow above 7,000 feet by nightfall, with a couple slushy inches possible at lake level.
Winds will be significant Wednes day, NWS reports, with lake-level gusts expected at 40 mph, and 100 mph gusts possible along the Sierra ridge.
Road conditions
As of 8: 20 a.m., snow tires and chains are required along some of the high-Sierra highways in the region. Follow road conditions all day long through www.sierrasun.com/roadconditions.
All routes are open with no controls with the following exceptions: IR80: Between Kingvale California Exit 171 and 1.0 miles west of Truckee California Exit 188A. (14.3 miles) - chains required except for four wheel drive vehicles US395: Between 1.9 miles north of Junction US 395 Business and State Route 529-North Carson Street and Junction State Route 429-Bowers Mansion Road. (6.4 miles) - high wind warning - trucks/buses/trailers/RVs prohibited - open with no controls SR88: Between 6.7 miles east of Hams Station California and Junction State Route 89 at Picketts Junction. (31.7 miles) - snow tires or chains required SR89: Between Junction Califorina State Route 88 and Junction US 50-Meyers. (11.0 miles) - chains required except for four wheel drive vehicles Between 6.0 miles north of Truckee California and 6.0 miles north of Calpine California. (24.0 miles) - snow tires or chains required SR431: Between 4.8 miles north of Junction State Route 28 and 7.5 miles south of Junction US 395. (12.2 miles) - snow tires or chains required SR878: Between Junction State Route 431-Mount Rose Highway and Mount Rose Ski Resort. (1.0 miles) - snow tires or chains required |
After a small chance of snow showers into Thursday, the weather figures to take a milder turn headed into the weekend, NWS reports, with high temperatures expected to rise into the low- to mid-60s.
Steve Goldstein, a forecaster with NWS in Sacramento, said it is not unusual for fall storms to roll through Northern California, despite the fact that December and January are the months of highest precipitation for the Sierra foothills.
However, for ski-pass holders who think the storm is a preview for another winter of copious snowloads, that might not be the case, he said.
“Just because you have a wet fall doesn't guarantee a wet winter,” he said. “It doesn't appear we'll have the same wet winter, as we expect the snowfall to be closer to normal this year.”
Climate scientists still expect a La Niņa — an ocean-atmosphere phenomenon in which surface temperatures across the equatorial portion of the Pacific Ocean are lower than average by 3-5 degrees Celsius — to occur.
However, this year forecasters are expecting a milder version, Goldstein said, which accounts for expectations of a normal winter precipitation load.
Steve Goldstein, a forecaster with NWS in Sacramento, said it is not unusual for fall storms to roll through Northern California, despite the fact that December and January are the months of highest precipitation for the Sierra foothills.
However, for ski-pass holders who think the storm is a preview for another winter of copious snowloads, that might not be the case, he said.
“Just because you have a wet fall doesn't guarantee a wet winter,” he said. “It doesn't appear we'll have the same wet winter, as we expect the snowfall to be closer to normal this year.”
Climate scientists still expect a La Niņa — an ocean-atmosphere phenomenon in which surface temperatures across the equatorial portion of the Pacific Ocean are lower than average by 3-5 degrees Celsius — to occur.
However, this year forecasters are expecting a milder version, Goldstein said, which accounts for expectations of a normal winter precipitation load.
