NWS issues Blizzard Warning for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The headlines have been full of warnings - a big storm is headed to the Sierra Nevada. Some of those headlines are warning of 10 feet of snow at upper elevations, but with some disappointing storms so far in 2024, many are skeptical of the news. But authorities are all on the same page - Sierra travel will be treacherous from Thursday through Sunday, with a period of life-threatening blizzard conditions sandwiched in for Friday night into Saturday morning.

The well-advertised major winter storm should not be catching anyone by surprise.

What makes this storm different than all of the others in 2024? The other storms have primarily been atmospheric rivers and out of the eastern Pacific, therefore warmer storms with a lot of precipitation. This incoming storm is out of the northwest and bringing with it colder air to meet with the precipitation.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has the following to say:

Short Attention Span Summary:

* Prepare for the storm today and Wednesday. Complete errands, and outdoor activities, secure fences/patio furniture, locate the snow shovel, and have supplies in case of power outages. On a lighter note, for example, I`m equipped with puzzles (and charged devices for some screentime) for my kiddos and me this weekend.

* MAJOR WINTER STORM: Several days of widespread significant strong winds and heavy snow Thursday-Sunday in the Sierra and even down here in western NV. In the foothills and Sierra, exceptional winds + intense snow (3-5"/hr snow rates) will create a period of blizzard conditions (Fri PM-Sat). During the multi-day storm, possible impacts include aviation delays/cancellations, chain controls, road closures, disorientation from whiteout conditions, downed trees, power outages, blowing dust in Basin and Range, etc.

* Do not take this storm lightly. It is shaping up to be the strongest storm of the winter season. Prepare now. Keep your friends, family, and neighbors in the loop. If you must travel in the Sierra during this prolonged storm, have a winter kit and plenty of supplies. Nothing like an unsafe, impromptu camping trip in your car on Donner Pass.

Breaking it Down:

* Don`t overlook the WIND potential - - Winds ramp up across the Sierra and western Nevada early Thursday and will remain strong through Friday. Winds may dampen at times during heavier precipitation rates, but will produce localized near-zero visibility in the Sierra and the foothills. With a major storm like this, Sierra ridge wind gusts will easily exceed 100+mph. For the lower valleys and foothills, strong and potentially damaging winds are forecast Thur-Fri, with high potential (70+%) for peak gusts 55+ mph. Wind-prone areas (US-395/I-580 eastern Lassen County into Mono County + US-95 near Walker Lake) have a ~60% chance of seeing peak gusts 70+ mph. Blowing dust could produce areas of poor visibility in northwest/west central NV. For more details check out the latest High Wind Warning.

* Sierra Snow - - Heavy snow will begin early Thursday morning across NE California, spread to the Tahoe Basin by late morning, and to the southern Sierra (Mono county) by Thursday afternoon. On average the snow rates will be between 1-3"/hr, but will peak Friday evening through Saturday morning at 3-5"/hr. The Fri PM - Sat AM timeframe will be the most extreme period for intense snow and strong winds combining to produce blizzard conditions. There are only so many ways that we can say it will be treacherous to be traveling on the roads or even exiting your home during this timeframe. Whiteout conditions are very disorienting, so this is not the time to gamble with you or your family`s lives, especially over a planned weekend ski vacation. Quick snapshot of snow totals: NE CA: 1-3 feet for Plumas, Sierra & W. Lassen counties. Tahoe Basin: 2-4 feet lake communities, 4-8 feet above 7000 feet. Mono County: 1-3 feet for Highway 395 communities. 3-6 feet along the Sierra crest.

The NWS Reno forecast for South Lake Tahoe:

Thursday - Snow likely, mainly after 4 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Windy, with a southwest wind of 20 to 25 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Thursday Night - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread blowing snow, mainly after 10 pm. Low around 25. Windy, with a southwest wind of 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches is possible.

Friday - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread blowing snow. High near 35. Windy, with a southwest wind of 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches is possible.

Friday Night - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread blowing snow. Low around 17. Windy. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 13 to 19 inches is possible.

Saturday - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Widespread blowing snow, mainly before 10 am. Cloudy, with a high near 28. Breezy.

Saturday NightSnow, mainly before 10 pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Patchy blowing snow before 10 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 11. Breezy.

Sunday - A chance of snow, mainly before 4 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 29.

Sunday Night - A slight chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 8.