Storm Warning For Truckee-Tahoe Area

Article Written By: Justin Scacco

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The Truckee-Tahoe area is forecast to be pummeled with up to 6 feet of snow at lake level in the coming days from a storm that could bring blizzard conditions to the region from Sunday night through Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service Office in Reno issued a winter storm warning for the greater Lake Tahoe area from 4 p.m. this afternoon until 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Elevations above 7,000 feet could see up to 10 feet of snow, according to the weather service, and wind gusts as high as 100 mph are expected over ridges in the Sierra Nevada from Sunday afternoon into Monday.

“Avoid travel if possible, you could be stuck in your vehicle for many hours,” said the weather service in its winter storm warning for the area. “If you must travel, prepare for long delays and carry an emergency kit with extra food, water and clothing. If you stay home, have a backup plan in case of power outages.”

Snow totals

The area was hit with a storm Friday night, dropping snow at local ski resorts ahead of the larger storm due to hit this afternoon.

Northstar California Resort reported 5 inches of fresh snow this morning with more coming down. South of the area, Kirkwood said it received 6 inches.

Winter storm warning in effect for Truckee-Tahoe area

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows picked up 6 inches at Squaw’s upper mountain for a an average base of 118 inches; while Alpine Meadows reported 1 inch of fresh snow at its upper mountain.

Sugar Bowl Resort said it received 8 inches of snow at its summit, and nearby, Boreal Mountain California was hit a half foot of new snow.

Avalanche warning

The Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee has issued a backcountry avalanche warning for the greater Lake Tahoe area.

The warning is in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday.

High-intensity snowfall combined with wind will create very dangerous avalanche conditions, according to the center, resulting in likely avalanche activity in the mountains. Natural avalanches are likely and human-triggered avalanches are very likely. Some may be large and destructive.

State Route 89 is closed at Emerald Bay as of 2 p.m., according to the California Department of Transportation, due to avalanche concerns

Roads

Chain controls are in effect throughout the Sierra, according California Department of Transportation. For the latest information, visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.