Snow could make for slippery Memorial Day weekend in Sierra

Photo: AL GOLUB, AP Tourists line up to pay the entrance fees at the Tioga Pass...

A low pressure system is expected to dump one to four inches of snow in higher elevations throughout the Sierra Tuesday, potentially making for slick road conditions for visitors traveling along high passes to Yosemite for Memorial Day weekend.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Reno said snow showers are expected at elevations above 8,000 feet around the southern side of the greater Lake Tahoe basin, with snow falling heavier farther south.

“We’re looking at generally light amounts,” said Dustin Norman, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service. “We’re expecting some of the heavier showers down along Mono County.”

Norman said despite the low totals of snow expected, the weather could still impact driving conditions.

He said higher areas such as Carson Pass and Tioga Pass could be affected and make for less-than-ideal road conditions for travelers headed to parts of Yosemite this week for the holiday weekend.

Tioga Pass, a section of State Route 120 that stands as the eastern entry point for Yosemite National Park, just opened last week and is subject to close due to stormy weather.

Carson Pass is traversed by State Route 88 and is typically open year-round, pending large weather systems and avalanches.

Norman said there is a possibility of snow showers through the end of the week.

“I don’t think this kind of weather is untypical,” Norman said. “Compared to the last few years it may be irregular, but from an overall standpoint it’s not too irregular to have snow in higher elevations this time of year.”

Meanwhile, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected to bring up to a quarter of an inch of rain to lower mountain elevations.

“We are expected to stay in a pretty active period throughout the week,” Norman said.

On Friday, up to two inches of snow and ice in the Sierra set off road closures in both directions of Interstate 80 in Placer County, as officials said cars lost control and started spinning out on the slippery road.

Ice and snow, at around 6,000 feet, caused multiple spin outs, prompting officials to close sections of the highway until plows and tow trucks could clear the road, said CHP Sgt. Norman Vandermeyde.

Kevin Schultz is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kschultz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: KevinEdSchultz