Weather Service warns people to stay off Sierra passes

The winter storm warning for the Lake Tahoe Basin begins at 4pm Thursday and is scheduled to end at 4am Saturday.

The National Weather Service is calling for 12 to 24 inches at lake level, with 2 to 4 feet above 7,000 feet.

The agency warns, “Anyone planning travel over the major passes should consider completing their trip over the Sierra by midday Thursday or postponing travel until Saturday.”

The Carson Spur west of Kirkwood on Feb. 19. Photo by Casey via Facebook post by Seth Frank

The super cold storm is expected to bring powdery snow, significant blowing and drifting snow, and whiteout conditions.

The high for South Lake Tahoe on Thursday is set for 20 degrees, and 18 on Friday and Saturday. It will warm up to 32 degrees on Sunday.

In the Reno, Carson City and Minden areas the storm warning is in effect from 10pm Thursday to 10pm Friday. Three to 8 inches are expected below 5,000 feet.

With forecasters calling for snow on the streets of San Francisco, that’s a definite signal this is a cold, snowy storm on its way to the Sierra.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report