Great Odin's Raven! Snow is upon us, and here is the forecast
Alright, Alright, alright, alright, let's get down to brass tacks, a straight-up weather report, no frills, just the facts, just like a good ol' weatherman should. #Anchorman style!
The Weekend Outlook:
We're looking at continuing sunny skies and mild temperatures for Friday and Saturday. Expect daytime highs in the 50ºs. A pleasant stretch, but a change is on the horizon.
Sunday's Shift:
A pattern change is forecasted for Sunday, bringing colder air and snow showers to the Sierra. The snow is expected to begin impacting the western slopes around 4 AM Sunday, spreading eastward later in the morning. Snow showers will likely linger into Monday, concluding by the end of the day.
Temperature and Wind:
Highs will drop into the 30ºs for both Sunday and Monday, with overnight lows in the 20ºs in the higher elevations. Winds are expected to be relatively light, with ridgetop gusts from the southwest reaching 20-40+ mph.
Precipitation and Snow Levels:
Model projections indicate 0.35 to 0.65 inches of total precipitation near the crest from I-80 southward down the west-slope, with potentially higher amounts from Bear Valley to Dodge Ridge.
There's a possibility of wrap-around moisture from the east on Monday, which could enhance upslope snow showers on the eastern slopes. The primary precipitation is expected to be concentrated in the foothills and southward into the central Sierra.
Snow levels are expected to start around 6,000-6,500 feet early Sunday morning, falling to 5,000-5,500 feet by evening and below 5,000 feet Sunday night. By Monday afternoon, snow levels may rise back to 6,000-6,500 feet as the storm clears.
Snowfall Projections:
Bear Valley: 12” inches
China Peak: 11” inches
Dodge Ridge: 11” inches
Mid-Week Outlook:
A brief break in the weather is expected on Tuesday, with partly sunny skies and highs in the 30ºs in the mountains and around 40º degrees at lake level.
Another system is anticipated to move into the region Wednesday and Thursday. Model agreement on the timing varies, but precipitation is expected to reach the West Slope zone. This system is projected to be weak with light winds, potentially similar to the Sunday-Monday event.
Current model runs indicate up to 0.5+ inches of precipitation near the crest for much of the northern and central Sierra. Snow levels are expected to start near or slightly above 6,000' ft, then fall.
Long-Range Forecast:
A break is expected for the second weekend of March, with a potentially larger storm arriving around the 10th-11th.
We will continue to monitor these systems and provide updates as they approach. Stay tuned for further details. Stay'nFrosty and Thirsty for POW Coop | Director of Stoke | Cali Pass Resorts