The winter storm impacting northeastern California and western Nevada is beginning to drop snow at levels lower than earlier predicted. Measureable amounts have begun accumulating on Fredonyer and Eagle Lake summits.
According to this afternoon’s update from Chris Smallcomb of the Reno office of the National Weather Service snow levels have been quite variable, as low as 4700 feet with wet snow falling to the valley floors in Gardnerville, Smith Valley and Carson City.
Impacts this afternoon: Snow accumulations will affect higher Sierra passes such as Donner, Echo and portions of Hwy 395 in Mono Co – especially tonight – though Thursday morning.
Smallcomb said that the potential snow impacts to lower elevation roads is more uncertain – if snow levels remain low then we could pick up some snow around 6000-6500 feet. Strong gusty winds are expected on the higher ridges but nothing out of the ordinary.
This first storm of the holiday season is relatively mild temperature wise and NWS expects snow levels to rise into the 7000-8000 foot range tonight and Wednesday, and the snow is expected to be relatively wet, sloppy with low snow ratios.
According to Smallcomb the peak times for rain and snow appear to be this afternoon and evening, and then again during the day Wednesday. The storm Wednesday is expected to focus most of it’s rain and snow from roughly Hwy 50 northward.
The overall pattern suggests 1-2 feet of snow above 8000-8500 feet for Tahoe, Mono and Mammoth and some spillover rain showers into western Nevada.
Smallcomb reminded travelers that confidence in the snow levels remains low and may impact resultant snow amounts.
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