Late-season storm could drop up to 2 feet of snow in Sierra

Wednesday was the first full day of astronomical spring, but California isn’t quite done with winter weather.

A late-season storm is expected to drop more than a foot of snow in parts of the Sierra Nevada this weekend. Interstate 80 over Donner Summit and Highway 50 over Echo Summit could pick up 1 to 2 feet of snow from Friday afternoon through Sunday, with even greater totals at the highest peaks.

With heavy snow in the forecast, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the west slope of the Northern and Central Sierra. The warning goes into effect for areas above 5,000 feet from 6 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Sunday.

Along the shores of Lake Tahoe, the weather service forecasts 3 to 8 inches of snow, including South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City. A separate winter weather advisory is in effect for that area from 2 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday. The heaviest snow is expected Friday evening into early Saturday morning with snowfall rates peaking at 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Temperatures in the Tahoe Basin are forecast to take a significant tumble. On Tuesday, South Lake Tahoe’s high temperature was 59 degrees. By Saturday, the weather service forecasts a high of 36 and low of 26 in South Lake Tahoe.

Sticking snow might be prevented, at least initially, by warm road temperatures. As temperatures drop below freezing Friday night and Saturday, impacts are expected to become more widespread.

“We’re expecting, moderate impacts from snow Friday into Sunday,” said Sara Purdue, a meteorologist at the weather service. “Snow could cause travel delays and slick roads, along with potential for periodic chain controls. Snow levels are going to start out around 5,500 to 7,000 feet. That will decrease to 3,500 to 4,500 feet on Sunday.”

Snow is expected to taper to scattered showers Sunday before dry conditions return Monday. Additional cold storms could bring more snow next week, but Purdue says it’s “nothing huge.”

The California-wide snowpack is currently 101% of normal, down from a peak of 105% of normal on March 13.