By Steve Timko, Reno Gazette-Journal

A storm expected to form off the coast of British Columbia today could drop several feet of snow in the Sierra and several inches in the valleys of western Nevada, the National Weather Service said.

This is good news for more ski resorts scheduled to open this week.

Mount Tallac will have even more snow in a matter of days. Photo/Kathryn Reed

There is a large area of high pressure in the central Pacific Ocean an it is creating a flow of air from Alaska to the coast of California, weather service meteorologist Brian Brong said.

“What that pretty much does is open up the door and allow cold air from Alaska to drop into the Sierras and Nevada,” Brong said.

That means stronger winds moving into the area on Thursday, Brong said. Winds could top 50 mph in the Sierra and 90 mph on some ridges.

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