Winter storm warning issued for Northern California storm system. Here’s when not to travel

The National Weather Service is warning Northern Californians to refrain from driving through the mountains Wednesday and Thursday due to a heavy storm rolling through the region, the first of two powerful weather systems expected this week.

Meteorologists at the weather service’s Sacramento office issued a winter storm warning for portions of High Sierra counties above 5,500 feet from 11 a.m. Wednesday until 11 a.m. Thursday. They warned residents to be prepared for mountain travel delays and chain controls.

Sierra Nevada snowfall will be the heaviest from Wednesday evening until Thursday over Interstate 80’s Donner Summit and Highway 50’s Echo Summit, the weather service said online. More than a foot of snow could fall during that time period.

“Travel is highly discouraged,” the NWS Sacramento office said.

About 6 to 16 inches of snow will fall above 5,500 feet and up to 2 feet of powder will drape the highest peaks. Gales may billow up to 45 mph, meteorologists said.

Areas of elevation near 7,000 feet in the Lake Tahoe Basin could reach 6 to 10 inches. Wind could blow 90 mph along ridgelines, the weather station’s Reno office said.

“Travel could be very difficult due to slick roads and reduced visibilities,” NWS Reno said.

Light rain is set to fall on the valley from Wednesday until Thursday night. Sacramento may receive about one-tenth to a quarter-inch of rain, the weather service’s Sacramento office said.

Another storm may bring heavy snow from Friday until Saturday. The severity of that storm was not yet clear as of Tuesday, forecasters said.

This story was originally published March 26, 2024 at 4:50 PM.