More heavy snow headed toward the Sierra

Monday, Jan. 12, 1998 | 10:18 a.m.

A winter storm warning was in effect through tonight for the Lake Tahoe area above 6,500 feet, as well as the upper elevations of Mono and eastern Plumas and Sierra counties in California.

Snow was falling over the mountains early today, and the National Weather Service it would continue most of the day, becoming heavier by afternoon.

Predictions of possible accumulations in the upper elevations ranged from 1 foot to 3 feet by early Tuesday, the weather service said.

While the brunt of the storm was expected to fall as rain in the valleys of western Nevada, forecasters said snow on the valley floors was possible as temperatures fall overnight.

The storm comes on the heels of another storm that dumped heavy snow on Sunday in the Lake Tahoe area, causing mandatory chain controls and more headaches for Sierra travelers.

Chains were required Sunday on all three major trans-Sierra highways - Interstate 80 over Donner Summit, U.S. Highway 50 over Echo Summit and Highway 88 over Carson Pass.

Chains were mandatory early today over I-80 between Reno and Sacramento. U.S. 50 was closed from Myers to Twin Bridges in California.

No major accidents were reported.

Alpine Meadows ski resort reported 14 inches of new snow at 8,000 feet and 10 inches at 7,000 feet from the weekend storm, while Kirkwood reported up to 16 inches.

Weather service meteorologist Dan Samelson in Reno said the approaching system is colder and carries the potential for a lot more moisture.

"It's definitely going to help the Sierra snowpack," he said.