Reno, Nevada – Travel across the Sierra and western Nevada will deteriorate rapidly by Monday afternoon as a powerful winter storm unloads up to 5 feet of snow along the Sierra crest and blasts ridge tops with wind gusts over 100 mph through 10 p.m. Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Reno, Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect for the Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Mono County, Lassen, Eastern Plumas and Eastern Sierra counties in California, along with the Reno-Carson City-Minden corridor in Nevada. Snow totals of 2 to 3 feet are expected in the Tahoe Basin, with 3 to 5 feet above 7,000 feet. Along and west of U.S. 395 in Mono County, 1 to 3 feet will fall, while valley communities such as Susanville could see 4 to 8 inches. Reno and Sparks are forecast to pick up 4 to 8 inches between 7 a.m. Tuesday and 4 a.m. Wednesday, with foothills topping a foot.
Snow begins as rain below 5,000 feet before changing to all snow Monday afternoon and evening. Winds Tuesday will gust 35 to 50 mph in valleys and up to 70 mph along wind-prone stretches of U.S. 395 and I-580, creating whiteout conditions and dangerous crosswinds. In the Davis Fire burn area, gusts could topple weakened trees.
Chain controls and highway closures are likely on Interstate 80 over Donner Summit, U.S. 50 over Echo Summit and State Route 88 through Alpine County. Drivers should delay non-essential travel, monitor Caltrans and NDOT road updates via 511, and carry emergency supplies.
The heaviest snowfall rates target Monday afternoon and evening, with a second surge Tuesday into early Wednesday. Warnings remain in effect through 10 p.m. Wednesday, and additional advisories could follow as the storm evolves.
