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First significant snow of the season forecast in Tahoe, Yosemite

2 mins read

The National Weather Service on Wednesday said “significant changes” are expected to come in the Sierra Nevada mountain range’s weather. Snow can probably fall at higher elevations in the Tahoe Basin and Yosemite.

Coming into the region is a cold front anticipated to lower temperatures and bring snow. It will become the season’s first significant snow even if it is probably only dusting.

“If you’re in Tahoe you may see some snow flakes dusting those granite peaks,” weather service’s Sacramento office meteorologist Scott Rowe, said. “Snow will be at 7,500 to 8,000 feet. For folks at lake level, it will be hard to get much of anything.”

According to him, the Yosemite area is probably getting more snow as compared to the Tahoe area. The snow will be collected at 10, 000 to 13, 000 feet of peaks.

Before the storm expected on Thursday at 5 in the afternoon, the Yosemite National Park already announced the closure of Tioga Road, the Highway 120’s continuation through the park.

“We will evaluate conditions over the weekend and open the road as soon as it’s safe,” it said.

Closures were also announced by Caltrans, with Sonora Pass (Highway 108) to shut at Thursday noon while Monitor Pass (Highway 89) to close at Thursday at 2 in the afternoon.

The snow is also expected to affect Tahoe area’s roadways.

For Friday, chilly temperatures are forecast in Truckee, South Lake Tahoe and Yosemite which can reach afternoon highs reaching mid-to-high 40s. A fall to the 20s is expected overnight.

Over the weekend, afternoon highs are forecast to rise to the 60s but the lows will stay at 20s across the Sierra, SFGATE reported.

“Widespread hard freezes are looking highly probable (80-90% chance) by the morning of Tuesday, October 12,” the NWS’ office in Reno forecast. “It may be time to say our final goodbyes to what is left of our gardens.”

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