Storm Fronts Closing In On Bay Area
A light rain fell across the Bay Area early Friday, a mere appetizer of a stormy weekend that was set to dump as much as six feet of snow at the higher elevations in the Sierra, the National Weather Service said.
The forecast triggered dreams of fresh powder in the minds of local skiers who were gearing up for the 2010-2011 season.
However, the storm front's blustery winds – gusts of up to 41 mph -- raised havoc at Heavenly Valley where a wind hold was in place early Friday, shutting down the ski lifts on opening day.
Mother Nature's biggest weather punch was set to arrive Saturday night as a strong and cold low pressure system rolled through the region, forecasters predicted.
The cold air, snow showers and gusty winds had the potential to stir up local blizzard conditions in the Lake Tahoe area and along the mountain passes of Highway 50 and 80. Travelers were being warned that chains may be required on those roadways.
The National Weather Service predicted 3-to-6 feet of snow for above 7,000 feet with 2-to-3 feet likely along Lake Tahoe's western shore. A winter storming had been issued for the Sierra from 4 p.m. Friday to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Boreal Mountain Resort marketing director Jon Slaughter was expecting the area's first big weekend. Boreal was the first resort to open on Oct. 29th
"We will take all the snow we can get," he said. In the Bay Area, the strongest rains were forecasted throughout the day on Saturday, forecasters said. Though the rain was predicted to be steady, it is not expected to fall in large amounts.
While higher elevations could receive over an inch of rain by Sunday, urban areas can expect less than half an inch of rainfall this weekend, forecasters predicted.
Many of the area's surrounding peaks that exceed 3,000 feet in elevation can expected some snowfall.
The National Weather Service added that there was also a slight chance of thunderstorms this weekend in the impacted areas, which include all or parts of San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Marin, Monterey, Contra Costa, Benito, Sonoma, Santa Clara, and Alameda counties.
Gusty western winds were also predicted to accompany the cold front, NWS said, with Saturday night winds expected to reach or exceed 30 mph.
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Víctor Lei
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