All hell is about to break loose on the Sierra as an atmospheric river is set to deliver its payload by Thursday morning. When all is said and done, the higher elevations of the Sierra will be blanketed with anywhere between 2-5 feet of new snow!

“This is only the 5th Blizzard Warning from our office since 2008. They are saved for only the most serious situations. Stay home, stay safe!” – NWS Reno

Check out the NOAA forecasts below!

Light snow and poor travel is going to continue over the mountains into the overnight. Heavy snow moves in tomorrow afternoon and mountain travel will be dangerous to near impossible into Thursday. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/aaSFPGFjBU — NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) January 15, 2019

Squaw Valley Forecast:

Mammoth Forecast:

Blizzard Warning [Lake Tahoe]:

…BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM WEDNESDAY TO 7 AM PST THURSDAY ABOVE 7000 FEET…

* CHANGES…Blizzard conditions now expected with increased snowfall from Wednesday through Thursday.

* WHAT…Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon: Moderate snow with accumulations of 5 to 10 inches, except 10 to 18 inches west of Highway 89, are expected. Winds gusting as high as 75 mph for ridge tops.

For Wednesday night through Thursday: Heavy snow accumulations of 2 to 5 feet above 7000 feet with blizzard conditions. Below 7000 feet, 8 to 18 inches, possibly as much as 16 to 32 inches if precipitation remains all snow. Winds gusting as high as 110 mph for ridge tops.

* WHERE…Greater Lake Tahoe Area.

* WHEN…For the Winter Storm Warning, from 4 PM Wednesday to 4 AM PST Friday. For the Blizzard Warning, from 7 PM Wednesday to 7 AM PST Thursday. For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 4 PM PST Wednesday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Travel could be very difficult to impossible with periods of road closures expected. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage.

Blizzard Warning [Mono County]:

…BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM WEDNESDAY TO 7 AM PST THURSDAY ABOVE 7000 FEET…

* CHANGES…Blizzard conditions now expected with increased snowfall from Wednesday through Thursday.

* WHAT…Tuesday-Wednesday: Moderate snow with accumulations of up to 4 inches east of Highway 395 and 6 to 18 inches west of Highway 395 above 7000 feet, are expected. Winds gusting as high as 95 mph for ridge tops.

Wednesday night through Thursday: Heavy snow accumulations of 2 to 5 feet is forecast west of Highway 395 above 7000 feet with blizzard conditions forecast. 10 to 20 inches elsewhere above 7000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 100 mph for ridge tops. Between 6000 and 7000 feet, up to 6 inches is forecast.

* WHERE…Mono County.

* WHEN…For the Winter Storm Warning, from 4 PM Wednesday to 4 AM PST Friday. For the Blizzard Warning, from 10 PM Wednesday to 7 AM PST Thursday. For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 4 PM PST Wednesday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Travel could be very difficult to impossible with periods of road closures possible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage.