Earliest Winter Return in Tahoe since 1969; Snow above 6,000 feet

Earliest Winter Return in Tahoe since 1969; Snow above 6,000 feet

A cold weather front took aim at Northern California Tuesday, packing a potent punch with as much as 10 inches of snow for the Sierra peaks, the earliest return of winter conditions to Tahoe since 1969, according to weather forecasters.

According to the Central Sierra Snow Lab, the flurries predicted with this storm will make the shortest duration between snow storms since 1969. The lab – located in Norden – got its last measurable snow on July 1 – 96 days ago.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the Sierra in advance of the storm. The forecasters predicted 5-10 inches of snow above 6,000 feet with winds gusting to 50 mph below the mountain ridges.

At lake level in Tahoe, the forecasters warned residents to be ready for several inches of slushy snow.Temperatures were expected to drop 15 to 25 degrees when the heart of the storm crosses over the northern half of the state early Wednesday.

"It's unusual for fall. This is more typical of a winter storm," said Steve Anderson, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Monterey. "On average, heavy rain doesn't typically start until the end of October in Northern California. So we're a few weeks early." more