Rain, wind and snow to blast Lake Tahoe through weekend

Snow, heavy rain and strong winds are expected for the Sierra, Lake Tahoe and Western Nevada through the weekend. The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory and Wind Advisory from 10 Thursday night through 4 p.m. Friday for areas above 7,000 feet. For the first wave of a series of three storms, anywhere between 8 to 16 inches of snow is expected around 7,000 feet and above and between 2 to 3 feet above 8,000 feet.

With the approaching storms, wind gusts will be from the southwest, 20 to 55 mph, with gusts of up to 130 mph along Sierra ridges. Wave heights on Lake Tahoe are anticipated at anywhere between 2 to 4 feet today, and 3 to 6 feet tonight with the highest waves from mid-lake to the northeastern shores, according to the weather service.

A Flood Watch has also been issued for the region, including Lake Tahoe. Snow levels for Lake Tahoe and the Sierra will rise on Saturday to above 8,000 feet Saturday afternoon and near 10,000 feet on Saturday night before a cold front passes through the Sierra and Western Nevada on Sunday. Snow levels will then quickly drop to 6,000 to 7,000 feet behind the front, ending the flood threat to the lower valleys.

Areas of greatest risk for flooding are around small creeks and streams west of Highway 395 from Lassen County South through Reno, Lake Tahoe, Carson City and into northern Mono County. Mud and rock slides are possible in areas of steep terrain and near recent wildfire burn areas. A flood watch is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning.

Rainfall amounts Saturday through Sunday morning are 2 to 4 inches possible in the Lake Tahoe Basin with isolated amounts up to six inches along Highway 89. Across Western Nevada rainfall amounts of up to 2 inches are possible in the foothills with up to an inch on the valley floors.