Forecasters from the National Weather Service office in Reno are warning area residents to expect a marked change in the weather over the next few days with a chance of snow on the valley floor beginning Saturday morning.
According to the NWS, winds will start to increase this afternoon with winds turning strong early Saturday, producing travel impacts for high profile vehicles, especially between Susanville and Reno, and blowing dust for parts of west central Nevada, with elevated fire weather concerns. Localized tree and property damage and power outages are also possible.
Heavy snow possible this weekend, even here in the Honey Lake Valley. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches are expected around Susanville, Bridgeport and Lee Vining, with 6 to 14 inches for Portola and Mammoth Lakes.
For the Tahoe Basin, 10 to 16 inches are expected for Truckee and Lake Tahoe, with amounts 2 to 3 feet for the High Sierra is possible. Southwest winds could gust as high as 50 mph with Sierra ridges over 100mph mainly Saturday, decreasing in intensity late Saturday night.
Significant snows are likely up in the Sierra with lengthy travel delays possible. The best time to travel over the Sierra this weekend is Friday through Saturday morning. Those attempting to
travel over the Sierra passes Saturday afternoon through Monday morning should be prepared to sit in their vehicle for 6 hours or more.
Cold conditions will continue into early next week, with additional snow accumulations possible mainly in the Sierra.
