Lake Tahoe holiday traffic to be impacted over Thanksgiving

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you're driving to Lake Tahoe for the Thanksgiving holiday, expect snow, rain and slow moving traffic as you arrive....but most of Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be sunny and clear.

A winter storm warning is in effect for above 7000 feet from 3:00 p.m. Wednesday to 6:00 a.m. Thursday. Moderate to heavy snow expected above this elevation with rain changing to snow below 7000 feet Wednesday night and early Thanksgiving morning. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 15 inches above 7000 feet, with up to 4 inches below 7000 feet according to the National Weather Service.

Travel could be very difficult, especially given the higher than usual traffic volume Wednesday. Delays of many hours is possible for travelers over Tahoe area passes late Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night.

The forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Tonight - Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday - Rain likely after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday Night - Rain before 10pm, then rain, possibly mixed with snow. Low around 33. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Thanksgiving Day - Snow likely before 10am, then a chance of snow showers after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Thursday Night - Snow showers likely before 10pm, then rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday - Rain. High near 43. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night - Rain likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around
27. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday - A chance of rain before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Saturday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 16.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.

Sunday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Tuesday - Partly sunny, with a high near 49.