Weekend Lake Tahoe storm upgraded to late season Winter Weather Warning

FRIDAY Update: The Advisory has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning from 11 a.m. Saturday to 8 am. Sunday. Expect heavy snow above 5000 feet. Snow accumulations up to 5 to 8 inches around the Lake Tahoe Basin, 8 to 12 inches over higher Sierra passes, and up to 12 to 20 inches of snow across the Sierra Crest above 7000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. Wind-prone areas along Hwy-395 in Mono County may see gusts 60+ mph. Higher Sierra ridgetops may see gusts 100+ mph.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The ski resorts are closing and the stores have outdoor landscaping needs for sale, but Mother Nature is not on the same page, and the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday above 5,000 feet. Snow accumulations up to 1 to 3 inches around the Lake Tahoe Basin, 3 to 6 inches over higher Sierra passes, and up to 6 to 12 inches of snow across the Sierra Crest above 7000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. Higher Sierra ridgetops could gust to 90 plus mph.

Tahoe isn't alone - Mono County is also under the same advisory.

If you have plants in the ground make sure they are protected Saturday and Sunday.

The four-day forecast for South Lake Tahoe from NWS Reno:

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind is coming west at around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night - Increasing clouds, with a low of around 35. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday - Showers, mainly after 11 am. Snow level is 7800 feet lowering to 6500 feet in the afternoon. High near 49. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.

Saturday Night - Snow showers likely, mainly before 11 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch is possible.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low of around 22.

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 53.

Monday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 27.