South Lake Tahoe, California – Travel across the Sierra could become impossible overnight as a powerful winter storm unloads multiple feet of snow and hurricane-force ridge winds through Wednesday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Reno, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 10 p.m. Wednesday for the Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Mono County and parts of Lassen, eastern Plumas and eastern Sierra counties. The Tahoe Basin is expected to receive 2 to 3 feet of snow, with 3 to 5 feet above 7,000 feet. Along the Sierra crest, ridge gusts may exceed 100 mph, while valley gusts reach 50 mph.
Mono County, including Mammoth Lakes, could see 1 to 3 feet along and west of US-395, with 3 to 5 feet at the highest elevations. In Susanville and areas east of US-395, totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected, with up to 2 feet west of Highway 89.
Heavy snowfall rates peak Monday afternoon and night, followed by a second wave Tuesday into early Wednesday. Whiteout conditions, fallen trees and power outages are possible. Drivers should check Caltrans or Nevada 511 before traveling and prepare for chain controls and closures. The warning remains in effect through Wednesday evening.
