Winter Storm Watch and Weather Advisory issued for upper elevations around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Snow is in the forecast for the Lake Tahoe Basin, but most of it will be falling above lake level. Storms begin to push into the Sierra on Friday night, with periods of rain, high-elevation snow, and gusty winds persisting into early next week. With daytime highs in the 40s in South Lake Tahoe, more rain will be seen but expect heavy snow above the lake.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory and Winter Storm Watch:

January 19, 10 p.m. - January 21, 4 p.m. - Winter Weather Advisory in effect for elevations above 6500 feet around Lake Tahoe. Snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts of 12 to 18 inches above 7000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph with gusts over 70 mph along Sierra ridges.

January 21, 4 p.m. - January 23, 1 a.m. - Winter Storm Watch in effect for elevations about 7000 feet around the Lake Tahoe Basin. Expect heavy snow. Snow accumulations 8 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts of 12 to 24 inches.

The NWS-Reno forecast for South Lake Tahoe:

Friday - A 30 percent chance of rain after 4 pm. Snow level 7300 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night - Rain and snow likely, mainly after 10 pm. Snow level 6800 feet. Cloudy, with a low of around 27. South wind 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Saturday - Rain and snow. Snow level 6400 feet. High near 41. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

Saturday Night - Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10 pm. Low around 25. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible.

Sunday - Rain and snow before 1 pm, then rain between 1 pm and 4 pm, then rain and snow likely after 4 pm. Snow level rising to 6900 feet in the afternoon. High near 42. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

Sunday Night - Rain and snow. Snow level 7100 feet. Low around 27. The chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Monday - Rain and snow before 1 pm, then rain between 1 pm and 4 pm, then rain and snow likely after 4 pm. The snow level is 7000 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 41.

Monday Night - Rain and snow likely, mainly before 10 pm. Snow level 6700 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.