Sierra Blizzard: 2 Feet of Snow, 100 MPH Wind Gusts Expected in Mountains Above Lake Tahoe

A rare blizzard warning has been issued for parts of the Sierra where as much as 2 feet of snow is expected in the upper elevations and wind gusts in excess of 100 mph over the mountain tops around Lake Tahoe.

Potentially damaging winds should move into the region early Thursday, with gusts up to 70 mph in Reno. The National Weather Service says wind-whipped waves at Tahoe could reach 7 feet.

Snow is expected in the Sierra beginning Wednesday night, with 1 to 2 feet above 7,000 feet and up to 3 feet on the ridges.

The blizzard warning runs from 10 p.m. Wednesday until 4 a.m. Friday for the Sierra's western slope above 6,000 feet. Tahoe is under a winter storm warning from 1 p.m. Thursday to 1 p.m. Friday. 

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