Big storm expected this weekend

<p>Today’s steady rain is only a prelude to a much larger storm expected this weekend that will bring wind, rain and heavy snow to Lake Tahoe and other mountain areas.</p><p>Today’s storm will include some afternoon wind gusts and close to an inch of rain in most locations — more in coastal hills and other areas that typically get heavier rainfall, forecaster Brian Tentinger said.</p><p>Strong southerly winds also were expected along the coast this afternoon, with gusts in the coastal mountains and East Bay hills, he said.</p><p>But after a lull in the rain Friday, a stronger system will move in Saturday afternoon, dropping 1 to 2 inches of rain in most areas and up to 4 inches in wetter spots, Tentinger said.</p><p>“It will probably be in the afternoon sometime where we start getting some significant rain and wind, and that basically will last through Saturday night and probably into Sunday,” he said.</p><p>Locally heavy rain was expected throughout the day Sunday, he said.</p><p>The forecast called for heavy surf, with waves up to 20 or 25 feet, Tentinger said.</p><p>In the Sierra, forecasters were expecting snow to start this afternoon and to continue through Friday, leaving perhaps half a foot in most areas around 7,000 feet, with up to a foot of snow at higher elevations, said Kyle Mozley, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Reno.</p><p>With the weekend bringing high winds and up to 2 feet of snow, Mozley advised motorists against driving to the area.</p><p>Gusts in mountain passes likely will exceed 50 mph, with stronger winds at higher elevations, he said.</p><p>“Things are going to be pretty bad” for motorists, he said, although the snow will help extend the ski season.</p><p>More snow could start falling Saturday afternoon but likely won’t be heavy until overnight and will continue through Sunday, Mozley said.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan at mary.callahan@pressdemocrat.com.</p>