Multiple storms could bring several rounds of snow to Tahoe this weekend
TRUCKEE, Calif. — After a couple of weeks of dry, sunny weather, winter is ready to make a comeback in the Tahoe region, with snow expected to move in Friday and bring potentially challenging travel conditions through the Sierra.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches for the Tahoe Basin and Mono County from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.
The heaviest snowfall is expected late Friday night into early Saturday morning, when rates could reach more than 2 inches per hour. Foothill communities above 6,000 feet could also wake up to a light coating of snow by Saturday morning, according to the weather service.
According to OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto, snow levels are initially expected around 7,000 feet before dropping to between 5,000 and 5,500 feet Friday night into Saturday morning.
“That means we could see heavy snow over Donner Pass with chain controls, low visibility, and slow travel,” Allegretto wrote on OpenSnow. “Be prepared for a decent snowstorm and difficult travel through at least Saturday morning.”
With the storm on its way, the National Weather Service is reminding anyone planning to travel through the Sierra on Friday or Saturday to make sure their winter emergency kits are ready to go. That means packing the essentials, including a shovel, warm clothing, tire chains, blankets, water and snacks.
Sunday should offer a brief break from the snow, with mostly dry conditions expected before another system rolls into the region late Sunday night into early Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
But winter is just getting started. Allegretto said the second storm could bring more snowfall, with snow levels potentially dropping as low as 5,000 feet Sunday night into Monday. Snow showers could linger into Tuesday, bringing another round of chain controls and slower travel through the Sierra.
And there’s potentially more on the way: Another storm system could move through Wednesday, Nov. 18, according to Allegretto.
