Lake Effect Snow through Saturday: A Series of Storms Impact the West

Lake effect snow showers will continue through Saturday downwind of Lakes Erie, Ontario and the eastern portion of Lake Superior. A series of storm systems will continue to impact California and the Pacific Northwest through the weekend and into next week, bringing widespread rainfall, mountain snowfall, and gusty winds. Coastal flooding is expected in northern California. Read More >

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Last Map Update: Fri, Jan 2, 2026 at 10:58:32 pm PST

Watches, Warnings & Advisories

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National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area, CA

National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley, CA

Winter Storm Warning

High Wind Warning

Coastal Flood Warning

Gale Warning

Winter Weather Advisory

Coastal Flood Advisory

Small Craft Advisory

Lake Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory

Winter Storm Watch

Flood Watch

Winter Storm Warning

Sierra Travel Forecast

Lake Wind Advisory

Flood Watch

Reno December Climate

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the Greater Lake Tahoe region and Mono County, going in effect from 12 am Saturday until 10 am Monday. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for NE California above 5000 feet, going into effect at 4 PM Saturday until 10 am Monday. Periods of heavy snow will make travel in and across the Sierra very difficult to impossible this weekend. Wind gusts up to 40 mph and wave heights of 1 to 3 feet on Lake Tahoe.

Lingering snow showers will continue to impact travel through Mono County through this afternoon, then a break Friday before a second, colder storm arrives early Saturday morning and continues through at least Sunday. A third storm is on the horizon for early next week but details remain uncertain.

Winds will become gusty early Saturday morning, leading to a Lake Wind advisory for Pyramid Lake from 4 AM Saturday, January 3, 2026 through 1 PM Sunday, January 4, 2026. South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph could produce waves of 2 to 4 feet. Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve.

Flood Watch in effect for NE CA, including the Susan and the Middle Fork of the Feather Rivers, from 11 AM Saturday until 4 PM Monday.

December 2025 at Reno-Tahoe International Airport finished with warmer than normal temperatures, with the average daily high of 51.1 degrees ending up 8.4 degrees above normal, while the average daily low of 30.9 degrees was 5.2 degrees above normal. December saw its warmest temperature occur on the 18th with a high of 66 degrees and 23rd with a high of 63 degrees, while the coldest temperatures occurred on the 21st with a low of 21 degrees. Total precipitation for the month was 1.89 inches, which came in 0.72 inches above normal. A trace of snowfall was recorded at the airport for December 2025, which was 5.2 inches below normal. There were two new daily records high set on Dec. 18th, 2025 and Dec. 23rd at Reno.