The National Weather Service office in Reno is warning northeastern California residents to prepare as a powerful winter storm bears down on the region bringing abundant moisture, the possibility of heavy snow, gusty winds and snow levels down to the valley floor beginning Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday’s storm is shaping up as a “blockbuster” according to NWS Meteorologist Marvin Boyd who explains that, “An active and moist onshore flow is forecast to continue through the weekend and into early February and is expected to bring additional snow accumulations to the Sierra and portions of western Nevada.”
Tuesday through early Friday morning
“After a lull in activity tonight through Tuesday afternoon, the main event arrives. A strong winter storm will impact the region bringing a prolonged period of heavy snowfall, gusty winds, and periods of whiteout conditions – especially for the Sierra,” said Boyd.
Several feet of snow is expected up in the Sierra starting Tuesday evening through early Friday morning. In general, 3 to 6 feet of snow is forecast above 7,000 feet with about a 10% chance of even higher amounts. 1-3 feet is forecast for Sierra valleys.
Less certain is how much snow we will have down here in the Honey Lake Valley. The forecast calls for snow levels of 5,000 to 5,500 feet with most models calling for snow levels just below 5,000 feet, leaving us down here at the 4,200 foot mark in Susanville looking at the prospect of rain or a rain and snow mix.
“Additionally, uncertainties remain in the shadowing effect of the westerly flow aloft.”
In the mountains west of Susanville, above 5,000 feet, 6 to 12 inches are expected with a slight chance of changing to a rain or rain/snow mix.
Locations north of us should also remain colder with 2 to 5 inches possible below 5,000 feet and 6 to 12 inches above 5,000 feet.
Strong gusty winds are expected to impact the region with 100+ mph gusts along ridge tops and 30 to 60 mph gusts for lower elevations of the Sierra and western Nevada.
Travel will be difficult to impossible at times and is discouraged especially in the Sierra beginning Tuesday evening.
“Similar events in the past have resulted in lengthy closures of Interstate 80. Whiteout conditions have also occurred with associated fatalities, the forecast winds will be sufficient to whip snow around with periods of extremely limited visibility.”
Snowfall will begin to taper down Friday morning as the main axis of the low shifts inland according to NWS Meteorologist Tony Fuentes.
This will begin a brief lull in the weather, at least through Saturday morning, before another round of light snow showers develop across the Sierra. This may provide another couple of inches on snow accumulation in the Sierra but not so much in the way of precipitation spillover into western Nevada valleys.
