Forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Reno have issued a Winter Storm Watch as snow, wind and wintery conditions return to our area later this week.
Weather experts explain that after a few days of warm weather, a potent winter storm will bring windy and colder conditions with periods of heavy snow to the Sierra and higher elevations of northeast California beginning Wednesday afternoon.
Conditions will begin to worsen Wednesday afternoon and evening, with the most widespread winter travel impacts likely from Wednesday evening through much of Thursday.
The Winter Storm Watch includes areas of Lassen, eastern Plumas and Sierra counties above 5,000 feet including Westwood, Portola, Susanville, Loyalton and Sierraville.
Above 5,000 feet heavy snow is possible with snow accumulations of 4 to 10 inches
west of US-395, and 10 to 20 inches possible for higher passes like Fredonyer Summit and Yuba Pass. Winds will be gusting as high as 50mph.
Heaviest snow is most likely from late Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning.
Travel could be very difficult at times, with hazardous conditions impacting the commutes from Wednesday evening through Friday morning. Strong winds may blow down some tree limbs and a few power outages may result.
Snow levels will start near 6,500 feet on Wednesday, then drop to near 5,500 feet Wednesday night and near 5,000 feet by Thursday morning.
