By: National Weather Service Sacramento CA

Jan. 10, 2010 - The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a winter storm watch for heavy snow and strong winds for the northern Sierra Nevada which is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon.

Timing: A pacific storm is forecast to bring heavy snow and strong winds to the Sierra Nevada from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday.

Main impact: Heavy snow with accumulations from 1 to 2 feet are forecast over the higher mountain peaks, with 6 to 12 inches around 5000 feet.

Other impacts: Strong southwest wind gusts from 50 to 65 mph are expected over the higher mountain peaks.

After several relatively weak weather systems brought light precipitation amounts to interior Northern California recently, a much wetter pacific storm is expected to bring significant snow and wind to the Sierra Nevada, including western Plumas County and Lassen Park on Tuesday and into Wednesday. The storm will initially begin relatively warm and very windy on Tuesday, with colder air lowering snow levels late Tuesday night and Wednesday. Local wind gusts up to 65 mph over the higher terrain are possible on Tuesday, with a little decrease in wind gusts on Wednesday. A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

Travel over the mountains may be very treacherous Tuesday and Wednesday. Winter storm watch in effect from Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon. The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a winter storm watch for heavy snow and strong winds for western Plumas county, which is in effect from Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon.

Timing: A pacific storm is forecast to bring heavy snow and strong winds to western Plumas County late Tuesday morning and into Wednesday.

Main impact: Heavy snow with accumulations up to 2 to 3 feet are forecast over the higher mountain peaks with 4 to 8 inches around 4500 feet.

Other impacts: strong southwest wind gusts from 50 to 65 mph are expected over the higher mountain peaks.

Instruction: A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

Area: West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada, including the city of Blue Canyon

Affected Counties or parts of: Yuba, Plumas, Yolo, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Sierra, Alpine, Shasta, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, Sacramento, Placer, Solano, Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Sutter, Lake, Tehama, Nevada