Big storm expected this weekend

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.

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.

Strong southerly winds also were expected along the coast this afternoon, with gusts in the coastal mountains and East Bay hills, he said.

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.

“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.

Locally heavy rain was expected throughout the day Sunday, he said.

The forecast called for heavy surf, with waves up to 20 or 25 feet, Tentinger said.

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.

With the weekend bringing high winds and up to 2 feet of snow, Mozley advised motorists against driving to the area.

Gusts in mountain passes likely will exceed 50 mph, with stronger winds at higher elevations, he said.

“Things are going to be pretty bad” for motorists, he said, although the snow will help extend the ski season.

More snow could start falling Saturday afternoon but likely won’t be heavy until overnight and will continue through Sunday, Mozley said.

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan at mary.callahan@pressdemocrat.com.