High Wind Watch Issued For Motherlode & Sierra Nevada

There is a chance of rain, just in time for the early morning shopping rush on Black Friday (the name given for the day after Thanksgiving).

Snow levels will be from 4500 to 5000 feet with three to seven inches of accumulation expected in the Sierra. Light snow showers could linger in the mountains through Saturday morning.

Winds will begin to gust Friday night into Saturday morning in the Sierra, beginning with gusts in excess of 40 to 50 mph.

Next a high wind watch has been issued for the Motherlode’s foothills and the Sierra Nevada from Saturday night into Sunday morning. Sustained winds of 25 to 45 mph should be expected with some gusts possibly reaching 70 mph.

Highway 108 (Sonora Pass) is open. Highway 4 (Ebbetts Pass) is also open. Highway 120 (Tioga Pass) is closed at Crane Flat.