Winter Storm Warning

A Winter Storm Warning remains for the Sierra Nevada through 4 AM Wednesday.

This first in a series of storms, may bring several inches of snow below 4000 feet by Tuesday morning. A foot of snow is expected at 4000 feet. One to two feet of snow is possible at 5000 feet. One to three feet of accumulation is possible above 6000 feet.

Snow levels will fluctuate between 3000 to 5000 feet.

Winds will gust over 40 mph in the Motherlode and 60 mph over the higher mountain peaks.

The next storm will arrive Tuesday and bring one to three feet of snow above 6000 feet by Wednesday morning. 

Additional storms will continue, with little break, through Friday.

Rainfall totals in the Motherlode could reach four to eight inches. This will bring the possibility of minor flooding in low lying areas, as well as near flood prone rivers and creeks, during the latter part of the week.

Expect all smaller rivers and streams to rise with swiftly moving water during the week.

Snow levels throughout the week, will generally begin around 4000 to 4500 feet. At times the snow level will fall low enough to affect the Motherlode’s foothills.

Total snow accumulation in the Sierra by Saturday, is anticipated to be several feet at 5000 feet and as much as ten feet or more above 6000 to 7000 feet.

There will be periods of very strong winds in the mountains.

There will be a break over the weekend before another weather system brings more rain and mountain snow next Monday. 

Written by mark@mlode.com