May snow hits Truckee-Tahoe; Squaw reaches 700 inches for season
The mountains around Truckee and Lake Tahoe are again covered in snow following the latest round of storms to hit the area, and more is expected to accumulate through the weekend.
A winter weather advisory will go into effect for the Truckee-Tahoe area, according to the National Weather Service in Reno, from 5 p.m. Saturday until 10 a.m. Sunday, bringing additional snow and rain to the region.
The weather service is forecasting up to 3 inches of snow at lower elevations, and 4 to 10 inches above 7,000 feet. Wind gusts between 50 and 80 mph are forecast over exposed ridges.
“Plan on snow-covered roads, chain controls, and extended travel times … especially over passes,” said the weather service in its advisory.
Chain controls were in place this morning on Interstate 80 going in both directions from Kingvale to Donner Lake Road, marking the second consecutive day the California Department of Transportation has had chain controls in place on the interstate.
Following last night’s storm, Tahoe City reported 3 inches of new snow, Squaw Valley had 3 inches as well, Homewood received 7 inches, and a quarter inch of snow was reported at Boca Reservoir.
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows reported 11 inches of snow in the past 24 hours at Squaw’s upper mountain, bringing the resort’s season total to 700 inches. The season remains the third largest on record, according to the resort, which is still far from the 2010-11 record of 810 inches.
The resort reported it has nine lifts running at Squaw, along with Summit Express at Alpine Meadows. Alpine Meadows will close this Sunday, and Squaw Valley will remain open seven days a week until Memorial Day. From there, the resort plans on switching operations to Friday through Sunday until the Fourth of July weekend.
Temperatures this weekend aren’t expected to get above 50 degrees along with lows in the 20s forecast. Stormy and cold weather is projected for next week as well, according to the weather service, which forecasts up to an inch of snow for the Truckee area on Tuesday morning.
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