Sierra Snow Forecast: Multiple passes over 100 inches by end of weekend

More than 100 inches of fresh snow could fall across several Sierra Nevada mountain passes Thursday through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service forecasts that the Carson, Ebbets, Sonora and Tioga Passes, located in the central Sierra, will exceed the 100-inch snowfall mark by the end of the weekend.

Donner Pass near northern Lake Tahoe is forecast to receive 60 to 80 inches over a four-day window. Echo Pass near South Lake Tahoe is expected to be 24 to 30 inches.

According to the weather service, snow levels are expected to start anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 feet on Thursday before rising to 6,000 to 8,500 feet on Friday morning. They will then drop to around 4,500 to 6,500 feet over the weekend.

A winter storm warning was issued for the Sierra from Thursday 10:00 am to Sunday 10:00 am. Traveling in the mountains at this time is highly discouraged.

“Be prepared for control loops, severe travel delays and possible road closures,” the weather service said in a statement.

More heavy snow is expected early next week, according to the meteorological service.

For the latest updates on the storm hitting the Bay Area and the rest of California, visit the NBC Bay Area weather page.