Winter storm to bring feet of snow to Donner Summit, dangerous backcountry conditions

TRUCKEE, Calif. (KRNV) — A winter storm is expected to bring feet on snow to Donner Summit starting Wednesday night into Friday morning.

Experts forecast roughly 2 feet on snow in Sierra mountain passes and the Lake Tahoe Basin starting late Wednesday.

The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued an avalanche watch starting Thursday morning and running through Friday morning. Conditions will be very dangerous in the backcountry due to high winds and unstable snow. You are encouraged to stay away.

Due to heavy snowfall, travel will be extremely difficult and sometimes impossible over Sierra passes on Thursday. You are encouraged to travel on Tuesday or Wednesday if you need to make it over the pass.

A wind advisory has been issued for the greater Reno-Sparks area starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday and sticking around through 10 p.m. Gusts up to 45 mph are forecasted on the valley floor and 55 mph in wind-prone areas.

Snow is also expected to fall on the valley floor over the course of the storm. Snow is forecasted to start falling early Thursday morning and should switch to rain by mid-afternoon. If temperatures stay lower than expected, the snow will not switch over to rain which could lead to several inches of snow in the Reno-Sparks area.

To check our latest forecast, click here.