Weekend travel around Lake Tahoe to be impacted by two storms

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Another round of storms is headed to Lake Tahoe, but not quite as potent as last week's storms that dumped several feet over the Sierra.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Lake Tahoe from 4:00 p.m. Friday to 10:00 p.m. Sunday. Heavy snow is expected. Total lake level snow accumulations of 17 to 29 inches with the highest totals west of Highway 89, except 2 to 4 feet above 7000 feet expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph with ridge winds gusting as high as 95 mph.

The heaviest snow is expected late Friday night and again Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning.

According to the National Weather Service in Reno, travel could be very difficult to impossible in the Sierra. The hazardous conditions could impact the ski commute Friday evening and again Sunday evening. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage.

Friday night through Saturday morning- This storm is expected to begin to impact the Sierra Friday evening with 6 to 14 inches of snow possible by Saturday morning. Temperatures will remain cold with low snow levels and light fluffy snow. As much as 1-2 inches could accumulate in the lower valleys of western Nevada and northeast California, but the better chance of accumulation will be in the foothills.

Most areas will see a break in the snowfall on Saturday, although
much of the Sierra may not see much of a break.

Saturday night through Sunday - A stronger storm is expected to impact the region late Saturday night through Sunday evening. Initial estimates are for this storm
to bring additional snowfall accumulations of 1 to 3 feet or more in the Sierra with another round of accumulating snow in western Nevada and northeast California valleys. Best estimates for these lower valleys are 1 to 4 inches, but are highly dependent on how quickly the front moves through the region.

The South Lake Tahoe weekend forecast from NWS Reno:

Friday - Snow likely, mainly after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday Night - Snow. Low around 21. South wind around 5 mph becoming east in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Saturday - Snow. High near 29. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Saturday Night - Snow. Low around 24. Windy, with a southwest wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.

Sunday - Snow. High near 29. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Sunday Night - A 50 percent chance of snow showers before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.