Special Weather Statement From NOAA
Significant snows are likely in the Sierra with lengthy travel delays possible. The best time to travel over the Sierra this weekend is Friday through Saturday morning. Those attempting to travel over the Sierra passes Saturday afternoon through Monday morning should be prepared to sit in their vehicle for 6 hours or more. Preliminary snowfall totals range from several inches to around a foot for the Tahoe basin and western Mono County, with up to 3 feet possible for higher elevations along the Sierra crest.
Cold conditions will continue into early next week, with additional snow accumulations possible mainly in the Sierra.
…WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING…
* WHAT…Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches around Susanville, Bridgeport, and Lee Vining, with 6 to 14 inches for Portola and Mammoth Lakes. For the Tahoe Basin, 10 to 16 inches are expected for Truckee and Lake Tahoe, with amounts 2 to 3 feet for the High Sierra is possible. Southwest winds could gust as high as 50 mph with Sierra ridges over 100 mph mainly Saturday, decreasing in intensity late Saturday night.
* WHERE…Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties and Mono County.
* WHEN…From Saturday morning through Monday morning.
Forecast For Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
Saturday: Snow likely, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.