Tahoe Braces for a Daring Winter Storm: Travel Hazards Ahead This Sunday!

A winter weather event is anticipated to strike the Sierra Nevada on Sunday, pummeling the Tahoe region with snow and perilous wind gusts that are foreseen to affect travel circumstances throughout the day. 

Following a mostly clear forecast on Saturday, a winter weather advisory will take effect for the Tahoe area from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, as stated by Gigi Giralte, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, to SFGATE. Mountain passes, including Donner Summit, are projected to receive between 8 and 12 inches of snow with wind gusts up to 60 mph. 

“As the precipitation begins, low visibility can be observed, complicating travel as well,” Giralte remarked. “These factors are coming together to create travel difficulties, particularly over I-80 and Donner Pass.” 

Intense winds pose the “primary threat” associated with this storm, with potentially hazardous gusts starting late Saturday night and extending into Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Consequences may involve power outages, fallen trees, damage to fragile structures, and various travel impediments. Gusts up to 70 mph could impact highways, including portions of Interstate 580, Highway 395 through Carson Valley, and Highway 395 near Walker Lake. Lake Tahoe could experience waves measuring 2 to 5 feet and gusts up to 60 mph, while gusts on mountain ridges could exceed 100 mph, rendering backcountry activities unsafe. 

Snow accumulation will predominantly affect areas above 6,000 feet, Giralte indicated, with the highest elevations in the region expected to receive up to 18 inches of snow. Sierra passes such as Donner Summit, Echo Summit, and Carson Pass are expected to see snowfalls of up to 12 inches, with the majority of snowfall occurring from late morning through the afternoon. 

“Although the snowfall will likely diminish by sunset, travel impacts are probable as the snow will remain,” Giralte noted. 

Travel-related challenges, such as chain requirements and road holdups, can be anticipated once the storm commences, Giralte mentioned, highlighting that travelers should verify conditions via Caltrans’ QuickMap and the Nevada Department of Transportation’s 511 info system prior to embarking on their journey. 

The storm is projected to shift northward into the New Year’s week, ushering in dry and mild conditions by Monday, according to the weather agency.