Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Sunnyside-Tahoe City, CA

DISCUSSION

A low-pressure center is making it's way toward the California coast, where it is expected to drop a bit south before it crosses the Sierra. The colder air, light showers and grey skies this morning were a preview of this storm, which will be around the area through Sunday evening. Let's take a look at some storm specifics...

* PRECIPITATION: Snow levels will trend lower through the day, as this cool damp airmass settles in. Look for snow levels to drop to 5,000 to 6,000 feet this evening, and remain there until around Sunday afternoon, when they finally climb above 6,000 feet. As such, a reinforcing shot of Sierra snow is developing, with the bulk of the snow arriving for Saturday. Below the snow lines, any snow or mix that accumulates on the ground will melt/dry off rather quickly due to recent warmth and high sun angle. Above the snow lines, today's accumulations will be limited. Area passes may see up to 1 inch, while peaks such as Mt. Rose could grab an additional 2-3 inches. For Saturday, a 10 to 20% chance for an embedded lightning strike accompanies a 15 to 30% chance for showers. Snow levels will determine the precipitation type, so below 5000 feet, rain. Above 5000 feet, we could see snow amounts of up to a foot on the highest peaks, while Sierra passes could gather another 4 to 6 inches. Then Sunday, we could see an additional 2 to 3 inches on passes. Mountain tops such as Mt.Rose could add 2 to 4 inches on Sunday, since the bulk of the energy will be working eastward throughout Sunday afternoon and evening.

* WINDS: Mostly westerly with a nudge toward northwesterly winds Saturday and Sunday, with ridge gusts only around 20-25 mph for afternoons. Sunday looks a bit breezier, with ridge gusts approaching 30 mph across northwestern Nevada. Areas seeing precipitation this weekend will likely stay under light winds, with the exception being in the vicinity of any storm that develops, where gusty outflows may create a brief gusty period.

Beyond the weekend, we start a steady warming trend with the new week. Temperatures across the area will climb to 70s and 80s for western Nevada valleys, while Sierra locations will see 60s. A showery pattern emerges at the end of April/ beginning of May. HRICH

AVIATION

* A late season winter storm will spread lower elevation rain and higher elevation snow across the region this weekend, with peak rates tonight into Saturday morning. Most terminals will see periods of rain/snow throughout the weekend, with a 10-20% chance for afternoon thunderstorms. Widespread terrain obscuration due to lowering ceilings should be anticipated.

* While KRNO/KCXP/KMEV will remain rain, snow levels will fall tonight with snow anticipated at KTRK/KTVL/KMMH. However, the chances for accumulation will depend on time of day and rate, with tonight being the most likely chance (60%) for slushy accumulation of up to a couple inches.

* Generally, winds won't be a major concern with peak gusts from the W/SW of 20-25 kts each afternoon and lighter terrain driven winds overnight. If thunderstorms do develop, gusty and erratic winds up to 35 kts are possible. -Dawn

REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories
NV...Winter Weather Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 11 AM PDT Sunday NVZ001-002.

CA...Winter Weather Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 11 AM PDT Sunday CAZ072-073.