Wind and snow in forecast for the weekend in South Lake Tahoe

This just in from the National Weather Service in Reno: The next storm rolls into the Sierra late Saturday night through Sunday evening. Sunday will begin breezy, and a Lake Wind Advisory has been issued for Lake Tahoe. This system will move through the region more quickly than the last storm. Travel impacts can be expected in the Sierra from western Lassen County through the Tahoe Basin into Mono County. Generally, snow totals will range 6-12 inches above 7000 ft from Alpine County northward, 3-6" on eastern shores of Tahoe increasing to 4-8 along and west of highway 89, and 3-7" for locations near Mammoth Lakes. Lake enhanced snow bands will likely form, but due to the faster frontal passage, contributions to snow totals will be somewhat limited.

The main difference for western Nevada locations will be the initially higher snow levels; they begin around 7000 ft before dropping to valley floors early Sunday evening. The later start for onset of snow will limit overall accumulation for the Sierra Front and western Nevada. Still, up to 3 inches will be possible behind the cold front mainly falling Sunday evening especially along and west of Highway 395. Breezy to gusty conditions can be expected along the Sierra Front with gusts 35 to 45 mph; 45 to 55 mph for wind prone areas. Any branches that were weakened from the heavy wet snows last week will be susceptible to fall with these winds.

Today - Sunny, with a high near 57. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight - Increasing clouds, with a low around 32. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Sunday - Snow. High near 38. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Sunday Night - Snow before 10pm, then a slight chance of snow showers after 10pm. Low around 17. West wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. North wind around 10 mph.

Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 21.

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Tuesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 50.

Wednesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 30.

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 51.

Thursday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 50.