RENO, Nev. (AP) - The Latest on a series of winter storms headed into the Sierra and Lake Tahoe (all times local):
11:20 a.m.
As much of 5 feet (1.5 meters) of snow is expected on the top of the mountains south of Lake Tahoe by the weekend as a series of winter storms make their way into the Sierra Nevada.
The National Weather Service in Reno said Wednesday updated models for the storm system show significant travel impacts are expected on-and-off through Saturday up and down the Sierra and on all mountain passes around Lake Tahoe.
Snow is expected to fall at rates up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) per hour during peak periods through Thursday, with the best chance of snow accumulations on the valley floors around Reno and Carson City coming late Friday night through Saturday morning.
Much colder weather with overnight lows in the teens is forecast by the weekend.
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10:40 a.m.
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings Wednesday for most of the Sierra and the Lake Tahoe region.
Up to 6 inches (15 cm) of snow is expected at lake level Wednesday night into Thursday with up to 3 feet (90 centimeters) in the upper elevations. Snow accumulations are possible by the end of the week in Reno and surrounding valley floors.
Snow was falling early Wednesday in the Sierra north of Lake Tahoe.
A winter storm warning is in effect at the lake from 10 p.m. Wednesday until 4 a.m. Friday.
The service says travel could become difficult over mountain passes around the lake by Wednesday evening, with up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snow expected on Interstate 80 at Donner Summit southwest of Truckee, California and on the Mt. Rose Highway connecting Reno to Tahoe.
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