A stormy week should help us recover a bit from our dry winter so far. A series of storm fronts will move through the region for the next five days, giving us a chance of rain and/or snow in the valley with significant snow expected up in the mountains. A mountain Winter Storm Warning is in effect through Wednesday morning, and after a brief easing of the storm, another strong storm moves through late Thursday into early Saturday, As a result, another Winter Storm Warning goes into effect for the mountains over that same time period. By the end of the weekend, five or more feet of snowfall is possible on the crests of the Sierra, with lesser amounts at the Lake itself.

In the valley, snow levels will drop to the foothills Wednesday and then all the way to the valley on Thursday and Friday. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect in the valley starting Thursday afternoon and running through late Friday night. Valley snowfall amounts will vary greatly, but could range from an inch or two in the lower valley to a half a foot to a foot or more on the western foothills.