Warm-weather storm system could give valleys a good soaking through the weekend
Submitted by editor on Tue, 02/03/2015 - 5:34pm
The first in a series of storms should arrive to the Sierra, Lake Tahoe and Carson City region Thursday through Friday, bringing strong winds, a fairly decent amount of rain to the northern Sierra and snow at higher elevations, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecast confidence levels in the rain potential are highest north of the Tahoe area, with lower confidence levels to the south due to varying simulations of the storm track. Medium to high confidence exists for widespread strong winds with gusts above 50 mph possible in the valleys of western Nevada and eastern California, and gusts over 100 mph on the peaks of the Sierra.
This is a warm storm, known as a "Pineapple Express" or "atmospheric river" that arrives from south to north from the Pacific. These warm storms can produce significant moisture but snow is usually reduced to the highest elevations because the systems are warm. Any benefit to the much-needed snowpack will be confined to the highest elevations, above 8,000 feet, around Lake Tahoe south to Mammoth Lakes, according to the weather service.
There are additional storms forecast through the upcoming weekend but forecast certainty among forecasters remains insufficient. However, there is the chance of additional periods of heavy rain, high elevation snow and strong gusty winds are likely Saturday and Sunday.
