...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT THRU 10 PM PST SUNDAY...
* Timing: Snow began to develop Saturday PM heavy snow likely into Sunday. Snow showers to continue through the day Sunday.
* Snow Accumulations: 1 to 2 feet above 7000 feet (including Mammoth Lakes), with 3 to 6 inches for communities along Highway 395. 1 to 4 inches for eastern Mono County.
* Winds: Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 50 mph. Ridge wind gusts between 100 to 115 mph.
* Impacts: Snow and gusty winds are likely to produce significant reductions to visibility and difficult travel, especially across Sierra passes, in addition to possible chain controls.
Sunday thru Monday – An advancing winter storm and approaching cold front will produce moderate to heavy snow across the Sierra. The heaviest bands are expected by10 am Sunday, shifting over that time. Large dendrites are likely and snow rates will reach 2 inches per hour in the heavy bands. Post-frontal convective snow showers will continue Sunday with much colder temperatures and a few more inches possible along the Sierra. Off and on snow showers will continue across the Sierra today as instability increases within the post-frontal cold air aloft with a lull in snowfall by late this afternoon and into the evening. The strong surface gradient will continue to yield brisk west winds today (Sunday) into Monday, which will create low visibility problems in areas of blowing snow and low wind chill. Instability-driven snow showers will persist mainly across the Sierra through Monday evening with a few additional inches of accumulation possible.
Tuesday thru Wednesday – much drier with temperatures warming up and approaching freezing. Winds will also diminish with just the ridges being gusty at times. Storm track retreating north into the Pacific Northwest midweek, supporting relatively mild conditions with slightly above average afternoon temperatures (55-65 lower valleys, 44-55 Sierra valleys) Wednesday.