Weather
Big news for CA: the high pressure that allowed for only 10″ of snow in Tahoe and only 4″ of snow at Mammoth for the entire month of December is forecast to break down tonight!
NOAA is calling for a gentle moistening of California’s mountains this week with light accumulations of rain and high elevation snowfall before the possibility of a stronger storm next week on Tuesday.
Summary:
A weak and rather warm system tonight and Thursday morning will bring light rain showers and high elevation snow showers. The pattern remains unsettled into the weekend, with a system Friday into Saturday bringing additional chances for showers along with falling snow levels by Saturday. A brief break is expected Sunday into Monday with a return to more active weather by Tuesday. - NOAA Reno, NV today
Snow levels will be around 8,000′ tonight.
4″ of snow is possible above 8,000′ tonight.
The upper ridge finally begins to weaken tonight as a lead wave in an upcoming series skirts by over northern California. As the wave moves through late tonight, some light showers and high elevation snow is expected, mainly in the northern Sierra and across northeast California. Rain and liquid equivalent precipitation amounts up to 0.25" could fall near the northern Sierra crest, with most other areas seeing less than 0.10". Snow levels will remain high, generally above 7500 to 8000 feet, so any minor impacts should remain limited to above the major cross-Sierra thoroughfares. - NOAA Reno, NV today
Another storm is forecast to come in on Friday/Saturday that may have a bit more precipitation and lower snow levels.
Snow levels may drop as low as 7,000′ Friday/Saturday.
“Modest” amounts of snowfall are forecast.
As far as precip, it looks wetter, but there will be limited spillover into western Nevada with the system at it is fairly stable aloft and blocking would be preferred. Snow levels also look to gradually fall to 6500-7000 feet in the northern Sierra, and possibly down to 5500 feet near the Oregon Border, for Friday night. This may allow for slick conditions to reach the main northern Sierra passes by Saturday morning, although snowfall amounts look modest. - NOAA Reno, NV today
A stronger storm may impact California next Tuesday with lower snow levels and more precipitation.
After a break Sunday and Monday, a more significant system could affect the region for next Tuesday and Wednesday. Model solutions currently are not in very good agreement with this system, but the potential exists for much heavier precipitation with snowfall impacts possible in the high Sierra.
– NOAA Reno, NV today
Special Weather Statement for California:
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service RENO NV 436 AM PST Wed Jan 3 2018 Surprise Valley California-Lassen-Eastern Plumas- Eastern Sierra Counties-Greater Lake Tahoe Area-Mono County- Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area-Northern Washoe County- Including the cities of Cedarville, Eagleville, Fort Bidwell, Portola, Susanville, Westwood, Sierraville, Loyalton, South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City, Truckee, Markleeville, Bridgeport, Coleville, Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes, Stateline, Glenbrook, Incline Village, Sparks, Verdi, Gardnerville, Virginia City, Empire, and Gerlach ...PATTERN CHANGE TO MORE UNSETTLED CONDITIONS THIS WEEK... A persistent ridge of high pressure begins to weaken tonight, with several modest systems to affect eastern California and western Nevada into the weekend. Stronger low pressure with more significant precipitation is possible next week. The first couple waves through Friday will be relatively warm in nature with high snow levels; minimal travel impacts are expected below 7500 to 8000 feet. The last disturbance will push a cold front into the region Friday night or Saturday. While snowfall amounts are expected to be modest, travel impacts over Sierra or northeast California passes will be possible by late Friday night as snow levels fall. After a break Sunday and Monday, a more significant system could affect the region for next Tuesday and Wednesday. Model solutions currently are not in very good agreement with this system, but the potential exists for much heavier precipitation with snowfall impacts possible in the high Sierra.
