Snow and colder temperatures moving into Lake Tahoe Basin

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF.: A weak system will come into the Lake Tahoe Basin and Northern Nevada to wrap up 2016, but a second storm expected on New Year's Day may impact the area with accumulated snowfall and highs well below freezing.

Snow showers are likely after 10:00 p.m. Friday. Southwest wind around 10 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent and less than one-half inch of snow accumulation.

During the day on Saturday there is a 50 percent chance of snow showers with a high near 38 and a low around 21. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. New Year's Eve should be clear to partly cloudy with slight winds and no snow.

Starting New Year’s Day, a cold low pressure will move into northeast California, the eastern Sierra, and western Nevada with very cold air remaining locked over the region through next week. The cold front will blast through the area Sunday night and Monday morning, bringing the chance for light snowfall accumulations.

More significant accumulations of dry, powdery snow will be possible by Monday night and Tuesday as a second disturbance moves through the area. Snowfall totals of more than a foot are possible in the Sierra between Sunday and Tuesday, with several inches possible out into portions of western Nevada. Snow may bring travel restrictions in the northern Sierra Monday and Tuesday with periods of snow causing travel troubles for the western Nevada commutes Monday and Tuesday morning. While overall snowfall rates will not be too impressive, the very high snow ratios and breezy conditions could cause drastic reductions in visibility area wide according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

As specifics regarding snowfall are likely to be adjusted as we get closer.

The forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph after midnight.

Friday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night - Snow showers likely after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday - A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. East wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the evening.

New Year's Day - A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Breezy. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday Night - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Monday - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Breezy.

Monday Night - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.

Tuesday - A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 22.

Tuesday Night - A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10.

Wednesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 20.

Wednesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 3.

Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 23.