Mt. rose highway

Taken at 8am Monday morning along Mt. Rose Highway. 

Mother Nature is giving our ski resorts feet of snow for Christmas. Tuesday and the weekend will be good travel days, but plan on roads being sloppy and wet on Monday. Heavy snow moves into the Sierra late Tuesday and goes through Friday. Chain controls and delays are likely, so pack your patience if you plan on traveling over the mountains for Christmas.

Chain controls are on Mt. Rose Highway, I-80 over Donner Summit, Kingsbury Grade, SR 267 and Highway 50.

Futurecast

Heavy rain will fall in the Sierra and at times in the Truckee Meadows on Monday. Snow is also possible in the Sierra on Monday, especially above 7000'. Rain totals will exceed an inch in the Tahoe Basin. The Flood Watch for the Tahoe Basin goes through 4pm Monday. 

A Flood Watch remains in effect for the Tahoe Basin through 4pm Monday. Mainly watching creeks, streams, and poor drainage areas. The Susan River could also experience minor flooding. Rain totals will range from a quarter of an inch to around an inch in the Truckee Meadows. Carson City is getting dumped on Monday morning, leading to higher rain totals there. A narrow band of heavier rain developed just south of Tahoe Monday morning, leading to high rainfall rates in Carson and Washoe Valley. Rain showers taper off Monday evening after sunset. The Reno area, north of Carson City also has a chance at seeing on and off again rain showers on Monday.

Future snow

Snow totals will range from 1-2 feet at lake level to 2-4 feet above 7,000' in the Tahoe Basin between Tuesday and Friday. The foothills could also see some snow late Wednesday night into Christmas morning. 

Wind speeds will be lighter on Monday, but not calm. The wind will lower visibility where it is raining and snowing. This includes Washoe Valley, Donner, Highway 50, and especially Mt. Rose Highway. Snow totals will range from 1-2 feet at lake level and 2-4 feet above 7000’, from Tuesday night through Friday. The snow will have a good amount of water content as well.

Snow level forecast

The snow level will be around 7000-8000’ on Monday, 7400’ on Tuesday, 6000’ on Wednesday, 5500’ Thursday, and 5000’ on Friday. The foothills have a 50% chance of having a white Christmas, and the lower elevations have a 30% chance of seeing snow Thursday morning.

Odds of a white Christmas

There has to be at least one inch of snow on the ground in order to have a white Christmas. Places like the North Valleys, Galena, Arrowcreek, Somersett, Caughlin Ranch, Spanish Springs, and Virginia City could see some snow late Wednesday into Thursday morning. Daytime highs will get above freezing. 

Storm threats

Impacts go from medium on Monday because of heavy rain and snow, to low on Tuesday, and high on Wednesday and Thursday because of heavy snow in the Sierra. If you must travel, Tuesday will be the best day to do so, and the weekend looks decent as well.

There is a Winter Storm Watch up for the Tahoe Basin from Tuesday evening through Friday morning. There is also a Winter Weather Advisory up for the Tahoe Basin above 8000’ through Monday at 1pm. The Flood Watch for the Tahoe Basin goes through 4pm. The High Wind Warning expired early Monday, but it will still be windy on Monday.

Safe travels and Merry Christmas.