RENO, NV — Winter storm warnings are now in effect across parts of the Sierra and Lake Tahoe region as forecasters warn of dangerous travel from Friday into Saturday. The National Weather Service says some higher elevations could see as much as 24 inches of snow, while ridge-top gusts may reach 90 mph.
The warnings replace earlier winter storm watches and point to periods of near-whiteout conditions. Power outages are also possible, which could knock out some gas stations and public EV chargers if electricity goes down.
Forecasters say the storm will hit hardest in the mountains, but the impacts will spread to lake communities, major highways and popular national park areas. Drivers heading into the region are being urged to prepare before roads deteriorate.
Lake Tahoe ridges face the strongest winds and roughest lake conditions
The National Weather Service office in Reno says the strongest gusts in its warning area could reach 70 to 90 mph along the ridges around Lake Tahoe. Those winds are strong enough to create severe blowing snow and sharply reduce visibility on exposed mountain roads.
Lakeside communities including Stateline, Incline Village and Truckee are forecast to see 35 to 45 mph gusts. On the lake itself, forecasters expect waves of 2 to 4 feet, adding to the overall danger for anyone traveling near the shoreline.
Along the crest west of Tahoe, snowfall totals could climb to 20 inches. The combination of deep snow and intense wind could make travel difficult even for drivers familiar with the area.
Mono County and Highway 395 are in line for heavy snow above 7,000 feet
Mono County is forecast to get 12 to 24 inches of snow above 7,000 feet, including areas around Mammoth Lakes, Lee Vining and Bridgeport. Wind gusts there could reach 45 to 55 mph along Highway 395, one of the key travel routes through the eastern Sierra.
The National Weather Service says the timing is especially concerning because the heaviest snow is expected to begin Friday night, around the evening commute, and continue into Saturday morning. That could turn routine mountain driving into a much slower and riskier trip.
With snowfall, wind and reduced visibility all arriving together, the agency warns that some stretches may become difficult to navigate for extended periods. Drivers using Highway 395 should be ready for quickly changing conditions.
Northern Sierra warning covers Interstate 80, Highway 50 and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Farther north, the Sacramento office has issued a winter storm warning for the Northern Sierra above 6,000 feet. The warning includes Interstate 80, Highway 50 and Lassen Volcanic National Park, with forecasters expecting up to 12 inches of snow in many spots and as much as 24 inches on the highest peaks.
Winds there could gust to 60 mph, adding to the risk of drifting snow and reduced traction on major routes. Snow levels are forecast to fall to between 5,500 and 6,500 feet by Saturday morning, which could expand the area seeing accumulation.
Those conditions can quickly overwhelm mountain roads, especially where traffic slows and snowplows need time to keep pace. The warning covers a broad corridor used by both local travelers and people crossing the Sierra.
Timing stretches from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening in different zones
The Sacramento and Lake Tahoe warnings run from 1 p.m. ET Friday to 1 p.m. ET Saturday. Mono County’s warning lasts from 4 p.m. ET Friday to 1 p.m. ET Saturday, while the Eastern Sierra Slopes warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. ET Saturday.
The National Weather Service says the storm should ease for a time Saturday afternoon through Sunday, but more snow is expected to return Sunday night into Monday. That means mountain communities may get only a short break before the next round of winter weather arrives.
Farther south, the Hanford office has a winter storm watch in place for Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks until 7 a.m. ET Tuesday. That area could see 6 to 12 inches above 6,000 feet.
Forecasters warn outages could strand gas stations and EV chargers
The Sacramento and Reno forecast offices say heavy, wet snow and strong wind could bring down trees and power lines. If that happens, some gas stations may not be able to pump fuel, and public EV chargers could also go offline until electricity is restored.
Officials point out that a station with fuel in its tanks still cannot serve drivers if its pumps lose power. The same basic problem can affect charging sites, which depend on the electric grid to operate.
Travelers are being advised to fill up or charge before heading into the mountains. A full tank or battery matters even more if traffic stalls in near-whiteout conditions and drivers need to keep the heater running.
AAA and state road crews stress cold-weather prep before mountain travel
AAA testing shows electric vehicles can lose an average of 41 percent of their range at 20 degrees when the heater is on. Steep Sierra grades also use more battery power than flat highways, and cold batteries charge more slowly at DC fast chargers.
Preconditioning the battery while the car is plugged in can help preserve range and improve charging speed. That advice matters for anyone planning a mountain drive during a storm that could slow traffic and extend trip times.
Officials also recommend keeping a flashlight, food and water in the car and calling 511 for road conditions before setting out. With snow, wind and power concerns all in play, forecasters say the best preparation is to travel only with a full fuel tank or charged battery and a realistic plan for delays.