More snow on the way for Lake Tahoe and Sierra beginning Wednesday

It looks like cold weather and snow are on the way for Lake Tahoe and across the Sierra by mid-week, the National Weather Service in Reno reports. How much snow associated with the storm, which is dropping out of the Gulf of Alaska, is unclear but there are a couple of scenarios that may play out according to the map above.

Several models indicate the potential for dropping snow levels with a cold front moving through the region on Wednesday. Differences in the models could result in a couple scenarios. Scenario 1 shows a track of the system right along the California coast which would result in limited chances for precipitation in western Nevada valleys, but good chances for snow along the Sierra.

Scenario 2 is a bit further east, more typical inside slider setup, which would result in snow levels dropping to valley floors with accumulations possible in western Nevada valleys and amounts up to a foot possible near the crest. Both scenarios would result in a significant drop in temp. Confidence is high with regard to trough but only moderate on track.