RENO, Nev. (AP) — The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Wednesday stretching into Friday for much of the Sierra, including Lake Tahoe where as much as 2 feet (61 centimeters) of snow and winds gusting to close 100 mph (160 kph) are expected on the mountain tops.
The warning goes into effect at 10 p.m. Wednesday for the Tahoe area and the Sierra in California as far north as Susanville and as far south as Mammoth Lakes.
A winter weather advisory can be in effect for the Reno, Sparks, Carson City and surrounding areas from 4 p.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Friday. As much as 2 inches (5 cm) of snow is predicted on the valley floors with as much as 7 inches (18 cm) within the foothills including Virginia City.
The heaviest snowfall is predicted at Tahoe on Thursday, when as much as 3 inches (7.6 cm) an hour could produce whiteout conditions.
“Travel can be very difficult with hazardous conditions,” the service said Wednesday. “Strong winds could cause damage to trees and result in power outages.”
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Between 10 to twenty inches (25-50 cm) of snow is forecast across the lake, with 1 to 2 feet (30-61 cm) at elevations above 7,000 feet (2,133 meters). Sustained winds as high as 45 mph (72 kph) may gust to close or above 100 mph (160 kph) over Sierra ridges.
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