Good morning everybody! After three weeks of beautiful faux spring here in the valley the folks at the National Weather Service office in Reno are predicting a return to winter weather. The good news is that plenty of moisture is on the way this weekend and next week to help build the snowpack at the higher elevations.
Here in Susanville we are looking at mostly rain, and lots of it, with most of the snow falling above 5,000 feet.
“Confidence is high that a strong winter storm will affect the region this weekend,” explains NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chris Smallcomb, “with an initial period of High Sierra snow late Friday night along with strong winds out into western Nevada on Saturday.”
Smallcomb expects additional rounds of snow and rain will develop Saturday night through Monday. Although forecast confidence is high, exact details of timing and snow amounts may still change.
Saturday winds
South to southwest wind gusts 40 to 60 mph will affect drivers of high profile vehicles and result in increased turbulence for aircraft. Lake waters will also be rough and hazardous for boaters. Ridge gusts exceeding 100 mph will impact outdoor activities in the High Sierra and periods of whiteout conditions are expected.
As with most of these winter storms drought stressed trees in the Sierra will be prone to damage and possibly be blown over from these strong winds.
Snow
Snow will begin in the High Sierra late Friday night and continue into early Monday.
“The following are current snowfall projections,” said Smallcomb in this morning’s briefing. “Due to uncertainty with the cold front timing and the lowering snow levels, snow totals below 6500 feet will be tricky.”
- Sierra above 7000 feet… 1 to 3 feet. (High confidence)
- Sierra between 6000 and 7000 feet… up to 12 inches… with heaviest amounts along and west of Highway 89. (Medium confidence)
- Foothills and Sierra valleys between 5000 and 6000 feet… up to 6 inches. (Low confidence)
- Below 5000 feet… up to a couple inches. (Low confidence)
Snow covered roads are likely over higher Sierra passes by Saturday, and all Sierra passes Saturday night into Sunday. Snow will expand throughout the Tahoe basin, eastern Sierra and even the lower valleys of western Nevada by the Monday morning commute.
Expect chain controls and long travel delays in the Sierra throughout the weekend.
We’ll keep you posted on the series of winter storms all weekend long right here on SusanvilleStuff and at LassenWeatherNetwork.com.
