Snow finally arrives in Tahoe

"After experiencing one of the slowest starts to ski season in decades, snow has finally arrived in the Tahoe region - and more could be on the way, the National Weather Service's Reno office says. Areas above 8,000 feet in the Tahoe Basin are expected to receive between 12 to 18 inches of snow this week, the weather service says. Further south, Mono County is slated to receive 18 to 24 inches above 8,500 feet."

"Now, Justin Collins, a forecaster with the Reno office, says that snow is falling at a much lower elevation: around 6,200 feet on Monday. It's "pretty significant," he told SFGATE, adding that it's a "slushy kind of wet snow." Travel throughout the Sierra Nevada region is forecast to be the most difficult on Christmas Day when the bulk of the snow is expected to fall."

"Stormy weather is also slated to bring "significant rain and snow" late Tuesday through Christmas and the weekend, the weather service's Reno office warned. "Travel could be very difficult to impossible," a Dec. 22 forecast discussion shows, adding that both morning and evening commutes on Monday could be affected. Because strong winds and heavy snow might damage trees and power lines, travelers are advised to drive slowly and proceed with caution."

Tahoe experienced one of the slowest ski-season starts in decades, with only 0.1 inches recorded in Tahoe City from Oct. 1 to Dec. 18. Snow has arrived across the basin, with areas above 8,000 feet forecast to receive 12 to 18 inches this week and Mono County above 8,500 feet expected to get 18 to 24 inches. Traffic cameras near Alpine Meadows, Tahoe City and Dollar Point show snow along highways, indicating a possible white Christmas. Snow has reached lower elevations near 6,200 feet and is described as slushy and wet. Stormy weather late Tuesday through the weekend could bring significant rain and snow, strong winds, and power-line or tree damage, making travel slow or impossible. Palisades Tahoe expects 1 to 3 inches and has opened two lifts, while Heavenly reports eight of 27 lifts open.

Read at SFGATE