Winter Storm Watch Issued For California | 2-4 FEET of Snow Forecasted To Fall Friday-Saturday

Chris Wallner | | Post Tag for WeatherWeather
BLUE= Winter Storm Watch. GREEN: Flood Watch

A substantial Atmospheric River event is expected to hit California Friday-Saturday and drop up to 4 FEET of snow. This storm may still be the BIGGEST APRIL STORM to hit Tahoe in 13 years.

"...the last time Tahoe City saw a 2-day total of 2"+ liquid precipitation in April was back in 2003!" 
- NOAA
GEM showing 40+โ€ of snow for the High Sierra in the next 7 days. image: tropcialtidbits.com, today
7 day precipitation total. Image: NOAA

Snow Levels are expected to start out Friday around 6500-7500ft, then they are supposed to drop down to 4000-5500ft by Friday night.

Additional Storm Information:

“A Storm system will impact Central California beginning Thursday evening through Saturday and bring heavy snow at times to the Sierra Nevada above 7,500 feet. Therefore, a Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Friday morning through Saturday morning.” – NOAA Hanford, CA Today
Heavy mountain snow and strong wind gusts could cause whiteout conditions this weekend. Prepare now if you must travel!” – NOAA Sacramento, CA

California: 2-4 FEET of Snow Friday Morning-Saturday

* Snow Accumulations: Potential for 2 to 4 feet of heavy wet snow
ย  above 7500 feet elevation. 4 to 8 inches around Lake Tahoe
ย  level, including Truckee and South Lake Tahoe with potential
ย  for much more if snow levels drop sooner than currently
ย  expected.
- NOAA Reno, NV Today
“A significant increase in the snowpack is expected above 7,500 feet. Snow amounts will be highly dependent on how quickly snow levels fall.” – NOAA Reno, NV
“Don’t let the recent pleasant weather fool you! A significant winter storm will impact NorCal this weekend. Here’s a look at the week ahead. Hazardous mountain travel, chain controls, & travel delays are expected Friday – Saturday, so travel Thursday or Sunday if possible.” -NOAA Sacramento, CA
“Windy conditions are expected late this week, especially on Friday.” – NOAA Sacramento, CA Today

Squaw Valley Winter Storm Watch:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Reno NV
441 AM PDT Wed Apr 5 2017

Greater Lake Tahoe Area-
Including the cities of South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Stateline,
and Incline Village
441 AM PDT Wed Apr 5 2017

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE THURSDAY NIGHT
THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

* Timing: Heavy wet snow will develop before daybreak Friday in
ย  the Sierra. Snow will spread to lake level by Friday night
ย  through Saturday. Snow should taper to showers by sundown
ย  Saturday.

* Snow Levels: There is a larger than normal uncertainty in
ย  snow level predictions with this storm which has a great
ย  impact on snow accumulations and impacts. Current
ย  projections have snow levels starting 6500-7500 feet Friday,
ย  falling to 4500-5500 feet by Saturday morning.

* Snow Accumulations: Potential for 2 to 4 feet of heavy wet snow
ย  above 7500 feet elevation. 4 to 8 inches around Lake Tahoe
ย  level, including Truckee and South Lake Tahoe with potential
ย  for much more if snow levels drop sooner than currently
ย  expected.

* Winds: Strong southwest winds area wide, with gusts Thursday
ย  night through Saturday morning ranging from 45-55 mph along
ย  I-80 and near Lake Tahoe, to well over 100 mph along the
ย  higher mountain peaks and ridges.

* Impacts: Significant travel disruptions Friday at pass
ย  elevations including Donner, Echo, Spooner, and Mount Rose
ย  summits. Travel disruptions affecting mountain communities
ย  Friday night into Saturday including around Lake Tahoe. Heavy
ย  wet snow and strong winds could lead to downed trees and power
ย  outages.

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