Winter Weather Advisory and Storm Warning through Wednesday at Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Lake Tahoe Basin for 10 a.m. Saturday through 4 a.m. Sunday. That will be followed by a Winter Storm Warning from 4 p.m. Sunday to 10 a.m. Wednesday.

For the Winter Weather Advisory, a quick storm will be dropping snow over the Sierra. Snow accumulations at lake level could be up to one inch, and up to 5 inches at higher elevations, with the highest accumulations along and west of SR89.

For the Winter Storm Warning, there will be heavy wet snow around the Basin. Snow accumulation between 1 and 3 feet is possible at upper elevations, and with a high snow level, perhaps 2-5 inches by Tuesday morning. Wind will be gusting as high as 35 mph in valleys with gusts of 60 to 80 mph over the ridges.

Travel could be very difficult to impossible across Sierra passes including Donner Summit, Echo Summit, and the Carson Pass, according to NWS Reno. With increased traffic during the holiday weekend, prepare for longer commute times and possible travel delays.

A period of heavy snow will arrive on Sunday evening and continue through Monday morning, then periods of moderate to heavy snow showers will follow Monday afternoon through early Wednesday.

The South Lake Tahoe forecast from NWS Reno during the storm period:

Saturday - A slight chance of rain and snow before 1 pm, then a chance of rain between 1 pm and 4 pm, then rain and snow after 4 pm. Snow level rising to 6800 feet in the afternoon. High near 44. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

Saturday Night - Rain and snow before 1 am, then a chance of snow between 1 am and 4 am. Snow level 6300 feet. Low around 24. The southwest wind is around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Sunday - A slight chance of rain and snow between 10 am and 1 pm, then a chance of rain. Snow level rising to 6900 feet in the afternoon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. South wind around 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Sunday Night - A chance of rain and snow before 10 pm, then rain between 10 pm and 1 am, then rain and snow after 1 am. Snow level 7100 feet. Low around 29. South wind 10 to 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

Washington's Birthday - Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 1 pm. Some thunder is also possible. Snow level 6400 feet. High near 40. Breezy, with a southwest wind of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around an inch is possible.

Monday Night - Snow likely, mainly before 10 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Tuesday - Snow likely, mainly after 10 am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41.

Tuesday Night - Snow likely, mainly before 10 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 22.

Wednesday - A chance of snow, mainly before 4 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 39.

Wednesday Night - A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.