South Lake Tahoe to get rain and snow as a series of storms approach the Sierra

The groundhog seeing his shadow in South Lake Tahoe is questionable as a Winter Storm Warning has been issued for elevations above 6,500 feet in the Lake Tahoe Basin from 1:00 a.m. Thursday until 4:00 a.m. Saturday.

The latest storm moves into the Sierra late Wednesday, February 1, bringing moderate to heavy snow by Thursday morning at higher elevations. Snow will decrease substantially in intensity by Thursday afternoon as the first wave of unsettled weather passes through according to the National Weather Service in Reno. The next storm then moves in late Thursday night through Friday.

Snow accumulations of 1'- 3' are expected at elevations above 7,000 feet with the highest along the Sierra Crest. Elevations from 6,500 to 7,000 feet will see 6"-12" and lake level may see up to six inches of snow by Friday.

Snow levels will fluctuate both days, rising to 7000 ft Thursday afternoon, falling to 6,500 feet Friday and to lake level by Friday night.

Winds associated with this storm will be from the south to the southwest 10-20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Ridge gusts will be up to 90 mph. Waves on the lake will be 1'-3' with the highest waves on the north and northeast shores of Lake Tahoe.

Expect a chance of rain and snow into next week.

The forecast for South Lake Tahoe from the National Weather Service:

Today - Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight = Snow, mainly after 4am. Low around 31. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Thursday - Snow before 10am, then rain. High near 41. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night - Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday - Rain and snow. High near 39. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Friday Night - Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10pm. Low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday - A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night - A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Sunday - A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

Sunday Night - A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Monday - Rain and snow likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy.

Monday Night - A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Breezy.

Tuesday - A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Breezy.