RENO (AP) - The first winter storm of the season slammed into the Sierra on Tuesday, dumping at least a half foot of snow in the mountains and heavy rain that snarled traffic in the valleys.
More than a foot of snow was expected in some places by the end of the day with winds gusting up to 50 mph in Reno, where several traffic accidents were reported on slick roads.
Three to six inches of snow had fallen by midday at Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe between Reno and Lake Tahoe, and at Sugar Bowl near Truckee, Calif., officials for the ski resorts said. Between 10 and 14 inches was expected by nightfall at Mount Rose.
Neither resort plans to open this weekend, but Sugar Bowl spokesman Jon Monson said the snow will make for a good base when they do.
"You want the wet heavy stuff first rather than the wet dry stuff," Monson said.
Boreal Mountain Resort opened last weekend and plans to open again this weekend.
The strongest winds were not expected until Tuesday night, with gusts of 120 mph to 140 mph possible over the Sierra ridge top, the National Weather Service said. Gusts up to 65 mph were forecast for western Nevada valleys from Reno stretching southeast to Hawthorne.
The storm made for a busy morning for Nevada state troopers responding to numerous weather-related accidents.
Several minor accidents were reported on the Mount Rose Highway where several vehicles slid off the road.