A winter storm is expected to move into the Sierra late Wednesday into Thursday morning bringing up to a foot of snow above 7,000 feet and wind, rain and snow showers on the valley floor.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the greater Lake Tahoe area from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. Total snow accumulations could range from of 3 to 8 inches at lake level and a foot in higher elevations. Winds could gust as high as 100 mph over Sierra ridges.
For the surrounding valley areas of Reno and Sparks, Carson City, Carson Valley and Dayton, winds generated from the storm will be 20-25 mph with gusts as high as 40 mph, according to the weather service. Wind prone locations along Highway 395 and 95 could see higher gusts. Snow levels start around 6,000 to 7,000 feet Wednesday evening then fall to all valley floors into Thursday morning.
A dusting of snow to 2 inches are possible in the valleys with locally higher amounts within convective bands and along higher terrain. The weather service advises that even light snowfall causes major travel delays, especially during periods of high traffic volume.
Travel impacts are likely for the Sierra, especially over the passes with a smaller and more localized impact into the lower elevations.
The weather service advises that motorists could experience travel difficulties through the duration of the storm, with conditions impacting the Thursday morning commute.
Meanwhile, Sunday's storm brought anywhere from 7-14 inches of snow to many Lake Tahoe area ski resorts. Forecasters say Wednesday's storm will be similar. Carson City received 0.2 of an inch of snow, Virginia City and Reno saw 0.3 of an inch, with Stead and Verdi receiving an inch, and Cold Springs nearly 2 inches.
