Don’t drive to Tahoe, National Weather Service warns. How to prepare for upcoming storm
Cold temperatures and rain are on the way to Northern California for the rest of the week, along with a lot of snow in the Sierra Nevada.
Sacramento residents can expect rain to start coming in Wednesday night after 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, with expected precipitation totals of 0.25 to 0.50 of an inch. Rain is expected to continue through Monday.
Expect snow and difficult traveling conditions at higher elevations.
A “powerhouse winter storm will affect the Western U.S. the next few days with widespread heavy mountain snow, locally heavy rain along the West Coast and gusty winds,” the weather service stated on its website.
In the Tahoe region, highs for the rest of the week are expected to be about freezing or even colder in the single digits. Snow is expected Wednesday, Thursday and through the weekend.
Here’s how to prepare for the upcoming cold and wet week.
Don’t drive to the mountains
The weather service is warning people to avoid driving in the greater Lake Tahoe area 10 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Friday.
Heavy snow — expected at 10 to 20 inches — could fall in the region, and wind is forecast at 45 mph with gusts near or above 100 mph over Sierra ridges.
“The heaviest snowfall rates are anticipated on Thursday and could reach 3 inches per hour,” according to the weather service. “The combination of heavy snow and wind may bring periods of whiteout conditions.”
There’s also an avalanche danger from Thursday morning to Friday morning. You can stay updated on road conditions with Caltrans at quickmap.dot.ca.gov.
Make sure your car is ready for rain
Your car should have functioning wiper blades and headlights, so you can drive in the rain safely.
If you do need to be on the road during the rain, slow down and avoid any ponds of water because you won’t know how deep they are.
If you must travel to snowy areas, prepare to stay in your car for long hours due to delays. The NWS recommends having an emergency kit with extra food, water and clothing.
Power outages may occur
Storms and winds can cause black outs.
According to the weather service, wind gusts are expected at around 21 mph on Wednesday night and up to 23 mph on Thursday.
You can stay prepared for power outages by having portable power stations on hand and disconnecting appliances.
Clean out your gutters
Leaves in your gutters and drains can cause local ponds.
By cleaning these areas and removing debris, rain can be directed away from your home and prevent flooding.
You can clean out your gutters by wearing rubber gloves and scooping the leaves and twigs by hand, according to Home Depot, and by flushing small pieces of debris with your garden hose. There are also professional cleaners who can do the job for you.