Forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Reno office are expecting snow to fall in Susanville and the Honey Lake Valley beginning late Wednesday night, and continuing through Saturday morning.
Up to a foot of snow will be possible for lower elevations here in northeastern California.
Heavy snow is expected in the higher elevations with total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 feet in the High Sierra above 7,000 feet, and a couple feet of snow around the 6,000 foot elevation.
The NWS warns that travel could be very difficult or even impossible. Damage to trees and power lines is likely along with significant reductions in visibility.
Wednesday will be the last relatively quiet day before the next storm blasts into the region. Cloud cover will be increasing through the day and breezy conditions will develop by the afternoon ahead of the next storm. For the most part, Wednesday will be a great day to prepare for the next storm.
Strong gusty winds will develop along the US-395 and I-580 corridor on Thursday ahead of and along the cold front with wind gusts between 50-60 mph possible.
Sierra winds will be typical of a strong winter storm with gusts approaching 100-mph on the Sierra ridges. Once the cold front pushes through Thursday afternoon, winds should quiet down for lower valleys and foothills but continue in the Sierra and likely produce localized blowing snow and limited visibility throughout the storm.
As the cold front pushes down on Thursday, we will start to see precipitation spillover into the Honey Lake Valley and other valleys of northeastern California and western Nevada.
Although snow levels will temporarily bump up to near 4,500 feet (rain/snow mix for valleys), the snow levels will plummet to all valley floors Thursday night behind the front. The initial wave on Thursday appears to be the heaviest period of snow for the Sierra, although this storm will continue through Friday and Saturday with additional snow.
Plan on multiple rounds of moderate to heavy snow in the Sierra and northeast California, and even for northern Nevada.
Late Thursday night into Friday will be the critical day for western Nevada with snow levels down at all valley floors. The forecast shows impressive amounts of snow for the Sierra as well as the Reno-Sparks-Carson City areas for Friday with widespread travel impacts expected.
If traveling consider alternate plans, remember to carry tire chains, extra food, water and clothing. Once the storm arrives, travel may be difficult or impossible for an extended period of time.
For up-to-date weather information follow this link to the Lassen Weather Network.
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