Winter Weather Advisory in place for Sierra Nevada

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect for the Sierra Nevada from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday, though at this time it does not look like a big storm for those at lake level. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno said snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches above lake level, with up to 12 inches possible above the 7,500-foot level.

There will be a mix of rain and snow in the Lake Tahoe Basin at the storm onset, changing to mainly snow on Saturday. This will greatly limit snow totals with a dusting up to 2 inches near 6000 feet elevation. Winds gusting as high as 70 mph along the Sierra crest with up to 35 mph into the Basin. Wave heights on Lake Tahoe expected of 1 to 3 feet.

Travel will deteriorate Friday night for Sierra passes, with difficult travel throughout the Greater Tahoe region by Saturday morning. Winds could cause damage to any unsecured holiday decorations. Rough waters Friday afternoon into Saturday morning for Lake Tahoe.

The weekend forecast from NWS in Reno for South Lake Tahoe:

Friday - A chance of rain and snow after 4 pm. Snow level 7100 feet. Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Friday Night - A chance of rain and snow before 7 pm, then snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 25. South wind 5 to 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. A new snow accumulation of around an inch is possible.

Saturday - Snow, mainly before 4pm. High near 39. West wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Saturday Night - A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly before 10 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Sunday - A 20 percent chance of snow after 10 am. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.

Sunday Night - A 20 percent chance of snow before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.