Thanksgiving travel could be impacted as storms head to Lake Tahoe

Coming to Lake Tahoe for Thanksgiving? Try to get here early Wednesday.

Holiday travel impacts are likely across the Sierra and western Nevada starting on Wednesday. It is best to have a winter travel kit and plan for potentially
long delays through Friday.

According to the National Weather Service in Reno, the biggest chance for snow is Wednesday, though not overly impressive for Sierra standards.

Wednesday: First of two storms will bring a period of rain and snow to the region. Heaviest rain and snow could move through the region late Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday evening. Best advice is to travel over the Sierra passes Wednesday morning or early Wednesday afternoon.

Thursday Night and Friday: Stronger storm possible with high winds impacting travel across western Nevada. Periods of heavy rain and snow possible for the northern Sierra, including the Tahoe Basin and Carson Pass. Minimal amounts of rain and snow will reach Mono County. Have an alternate set of travel plans, if possible consider delaying travel until Saturday, weather officials suggest.

Snow Potential - 6-12 inches above 8000 feet in the Sierra for the Tahoe Basin, Alpine and Mono Counties. This includes the high Sierra Passes (be prepared for closures on 4, 108 and 120). Below 7000 ft in the Tahoe Basin total accumulations may be less than 4 inches. Minimal accumulations for western Nevada above 5500 feet.

The forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 21. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind.

Monday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.

Tuesday - Sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night - A chance of rain and snow after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or
no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday - Rain and snow likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday Night - Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 4am. Low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Thanksgiving Day - Snow likely before 10am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.

Thursday Night - Rain and snow likely, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Friday - Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Breezy.

Friday Night - Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Breezy.

Saturday - A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

Saturday Night - A slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 47.