The Lake Tahoe area is bracing for its first significant winter storm of the season, set to arrive on Monday, promising to cover the region in a substantial layer of snow and potentially disrupt travel along the mountainous routes.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory, cautioning residents about strong winds and significant snowfall expected in the Sierra peaks. The advisory highlights that hazardous conditions could impact commutes on Monday evening and into Tuesday morning, with gusty winds posing a risk of downed tree branches in the area.
“A total of 12 to 20 inches of snow is forecast for elevations above 6,500 feet, with some peaks possibly receiving up to 2 to 3 feet,” explained Dakari Anderson, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service. Snow accumulation could reach between 5 to 10 inches along Donner Pass on Interstate 80, with higher elevations seeing potentially more, depending on local conditions. The storm is expected to deliver a mix of snow and rain, which may affect the overall accumulation.
At lake level, snowfall is predicted to range from 1 to 3 inches, with the heaviest precipitation anticipated late Monday into Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, a winter storm warning has been issued for Mono County, where forecasters expect higher snow totals of up to 3 feet in the higher peaks. Mark Deutschendorf, another meteorologist from the Reno office, remarked, “The amounts that we’re expecting in Mono County are higher, which is why we issued the warning. It looks more like a direct hit of moisture.”
This winter storm comes just weeks after the start of California’s new water year, following a spring where the Sierra snowpack was measured at a healthy 96% of normal levels. Ski resorts and the local economy, which rely on winter tourism, are hopeful that this initial storm will set a positive tone for the season ahead, encouraging more snowfall in the coming months.