Some good news...

Significant snow expected in Tahoe with first major storm of the season

Amy Graff

A cold front from the Pacific Northwest pushed into Northern California Tuesday morning and is expected to bring over 1 foot of snow to higher elevations of the Tahoe Basin and over 2 feet to Lassen Peak, the National Weather Service said. 

"We're calling it the first significant snow of the season," said Emily Heller, a meteorologist with the weather service's Sacramento office. "It's the first storm with travel impacts and travel delays."

Snow levels are expected to drop to 6,500 feet on Tuesday and reach as low as 3,500 feet on Wednesday morning, the weather service said. The heaviest snowfall is expected to hit on Tuesday afternoon with light flurries lingering into Wednesday evening. 

Ahead of the storm, the weather service issued a winter storm warning in effect for the Sierra and Cascades from noon on Tuesday to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Drivers should prepare for near whiteout conditions major travel delays, road closures and chain control.

"Travel is highly discouraged," the weather service said. 

The weather service is forecasting 24 to 30 inches of snow on Lassen Peak, 12 to 18 inches over Donner Pass, 4 to 6 inches at Echo Pass, 12 to 18 inches at Carson Pass and 6 to 8 inches over Tioga Pass. 

The Interstate 5 corridor near Shasta may also see a dusting of fresh powder, and 3 to 8 inches could fall around Lake Tahoe at lake level.