California to see more spring snow and rain after dry winter

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - More late-season snow and rain was predicted for California on Monday.

A dry start to the day was expected to give way to showers in the Central Valley and mountain snow by evening and continue into Tuesday, the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office said.

Four weeks into spring, winter weather advisories will be in effect Tuesday above 6,500 feet (1,981 meters) on the west slope of the northern Sierra Nevada and in the greater Lake Tahoe area.

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Travelers were advised to expect snow and difficult conditions, including reduced visibility.

Total snow accumulations on the west slope will range from 4 inches to 7 inches (10-18 centimeters), with localized amounts up to 10 inches (25 centimeters), forecasters said.

In the Lake Tahoe area, ridgetop winds will gust up to 100 mph (161 kph).

Forecasters said the greatest impacts will be felt on higher passes such as Donner Summit, Echo Summit and Mount Rose Summit.

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Up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) of snow accumulation was expected on the lake shoreline.

Last week’s snow total topped 3 feet (0.9 meter) in some mountain areas as of Saturday, UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab reported.

The spring snow follows an extremely dry winter, and experts say it will not alleviate California’s drought.