Winter Storm Update

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the Motherlode through Saturday 4 a.m.

Additionally, the Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Nevada will run through Saturday 10 a.m.

Snow levels may drop below 1000 feet on Friday night.

Two to five inches of snow accumulation is possible from 1500 through 2000 feet. One foot to a foot and a half of snow is likely from 2000 through 7000 feet. Three to four feet of snow is expected at the highest elevations.

Winds of ten to twenty mph are expected in the Motherlode. In the Sierra Nevada, winds of ten to forty mph are likely, with some gusts ranging from forty-five to seventy-five mph along the crest.

The National Weather Service has also issued a Hard Freeze Watch for the Motherlode from late Friday night through Sunday morning.

Temperatures will fall below twenty-eight degrees from 3 a.m. through 9 a.m., both Saturday and Sunday morning.

These cold temperatures may impact budding and flowering agriculture foliage including apricots, almonds, plumbs and peaches. Crops may be damaged as well as other sensitive vegetation.

Residents should also make sure that all exposed pipes are properly insulated to minimize the risk of them bursting.

Pets and people that are sensitive to the cold should be given shelter during the coldest part of the night and morning hours.

Roads will be icy in snowy locations.

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Written by mark@mlode.com