Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Winter continues to harass Sierra

Sierra motorists who weren't too happy with their last commute are going to be even more miserable today. The National Weather Service called for a colder and wetter storm and just as much wind.

A snow advisory that was in place most of Tuesday expired at midafternoon, but was replaced by a winter storm warning for today along the Sierra from Truckee, Calif., south to Mammoth Lakes.

"This is a serious winter storm and should not be taken lightly," the National Weather Service warned late Tuesday.

This next storm was expected to leave 6-12 inches at Lake Tahoe with up to 3 feet at the higher levels, accompanied by steady winds of 20-40 mph and gusts to 100 mph over the ridges causing local blizzard conditions, forecasters said.

Snow levels were to be near 6,000 feet today, lowering to 4,500 feet by tonight before tapering off to showers.

Tuesday's storm dropped 4-10 inches on ski resorts surrounding Lake Tahoe, but that was enough to make chains mandatory on Interstate 80 over Donner Summit. Chains or snow tires were required on most other mountain passes until sunshine returned in the afternoon.

Incline Village reported 0.82 of an inch of moisture with two inches of snow, while 0.81 of an inch of precipitation soaked Truckee. Tahoe City, Calif., had 1.13 inches.

Strong gusty winds increased over the higher elevations ahead of Tuesday's weather system and some remote automated wind sensors reported estimated winds near 100 mph overnight.

In the western valleys, Reno had just 0.01 of an inch of rain while just to the north, Stead picked up 0.13 of an inch.

Rain, cooler temperatures and gusty winds remained in the forecast for the Reno-Carson City area through today with snow levels expected to hover around the valley floors before the storm pushes east on Thursday.

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