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WeatherFriday, November 13

The first big storms of the season start Friday, and Sierra passes are closing

The SACtoday teamFrom Friday’s edition · 1 min read · 3 sources

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If you're heading to the Sierra this weekend, check road conditions first. Ebbetts, Sonora and Tioga passes were temporarily closed again Thursday ahead of a pair of storms expected to bring mountain snow, gusting winds and widespread rain from Friday to Monday.

In the valley, Natomas resident Emily Valenzuela is filling 20 sandbags. Sacramento County spokesperson Matt Robinson said the time to get nervous is if storm after storm saturates the ground. County crews have been clearing canal and slough debris since July.

Storms and breaks are lined up through next week

  1. Nov. 13Winter storm warning begins at 10 a.m. for the Central Sierra.
  2. Nov. 14A break in precipitation is expected.
  3. Nov. 15The next storm is expected to arrive.
  4. Nov. 17Another potential break in precipitation could come.
  5. Nov. 20Northstar California Resort's scheduled opening day.

Sources: CBS Sacramento, The Union Democrat

  • Warning: 10 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday, Central Sierra
  • Snow: up to 2 feet above 6,000 feet, gusts to 60 mph
  • Northstar: hoping for about 2 feet of snow by opening day
  • Historic odds: about 60%, per NOAA and NWS

Snow is thin so far: Tioga Pass had 9.9 inches Thursday morning, and Tuolumne Meadows had none. The Sacramento Bee's Nov. 4 forecast flagged Nov. 11-16 as the probable window for the first of the season, with many areas possibly seeing a month's worth of rain in just a few days.

Central Sierra snow totals were small before the storms

Source: The Union Democrat

View as table
Value
Tioga Pass9.9 in.
Ebbetts Pass7 in.
Sonora Pass5 in.
Dana Meadows2.7 in.
Tuolumne Meadows0 in.

Sources: CBS Sacramento, Sacramento Bee, The Union Democrat

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