Storm systems line up with rain changing to snow for Sierra, Lake Tahoe
Submitted by Editor on Mon, 03/12/2012 - 7:47am
The first storm is expected to arrive Tuesday morning and last through Wednesday, prompting a winter storm watch for above 7,000 feet.
Snow will reach the Northern Sierra Crest on Monday night, with a period of moderate to heavy snow across the Lake Tahoe Basin late Tuesday through Wednesday. Areas west of Highway 89 could get up to 2 or more feet of snow above 7,000 feet with up to a foot below 7,000 feet.
Snow totals east of Highway 89: Up to 18 inches above 7,000 feet and 6 inches below 7,000 feet.
Winds of 25 to 35 will drive the storm from the southwest gusts to 55 mph Tuesday and Tuesday night. Sierra ridge gusts could be over 100 mph.
Snow is expected near lake level on Tuesday then rising around 7,000 feet on Wednesday. A larger and colder system is expected to arrive Friday, bringing heavy snow to the Lake Tahoe region.
Go here for a briefing from the National Weather Service.
A series of strong weather systems will begin moving through the Sierra on Tuesday bringing heavy rain, snow and wind to the Lake Tahoe region.
The National Weather Service in Reno reports that anywhere between 6 to 10 inches of precipitation is probable along the crest from Lake Tahoe northward through Saturday, bringing several feet of snow to the Sierra. What it will translate at lake level depends on how low the temperatures will drop, according to the weather service.
As snow levels rise between 6,500 feet and 8,000 feet Wednesday into Thursday, the highest snowfall totals could likely be around 7,500 feet near the Northern Sierra crest, with up to 6 or more feet of snow possible.
The first storm is expected to arrive Tuesday morning and last through Wednesday, prompting a winter storm watch for above 7,000 feet.
Snow will reach the Northern Sierra Crest on Monday night, with a period of moderate to heavy snow across the Lake Tahoe Basin late Tuesday through Wednesday. Areas west of Highway 89 could get up to 2 or more feet of snow above 7,000 feet with up to a foot below 7,000 feet.
Snow totals east of Highway 89: Up to 18 inches above 7,000 feet and 6 inches below 7,000 feet.
Winds of 25 to 35 will drive the storm from the southwest gusts to 55 mph Tuesday and Tuesday night. Sierra ridge gusts could be over 100 mph.
Snow is expected near lake level on Tuesday then rising around 7,000 feet on Wednesday. A larger and colder system is expected to arrive Friday, bringing heavy snow to the Lake Tahoe region.
Go here for a briefing from the National Weather Service.
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