SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Chain controls are up on Sierra highways as what is the first stage of what is being called a “major winter storm.” A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for South Lake Tahoe by the National Weather Service in Reno for Tuesday with a Winter Storm Watch going into effect Wednesday.
It’s already snowing in South Lake Tahoe with moderate to heavy snowfall anticipated tonight through Thursday. For up to the minute few of all highways through the Sierra, visit http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ for California roads and https://nvroads.com/ for Nevada roads.
The Winter Weather Advisory is in place from 4:00 p.m. Tuesday until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday. Moderate snow with accumulations of 5 to 10 inches, except 10 to 18 inches west of Highway 89, are expected.
The Winter Storm Watch is in place from 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through through late Thursday night. During these hours the forecast calls for an additional 2 to 4 feet possible above 7000 feet. Below 7000 feet, 8 to 18 inches, possibly as much as 15 to 30 inches if precipitation remains all snow.
The updated forecast through Monday, Martin Luther King Day:
Today – Snow, mainly after 1pm. High near 39. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Tonight – Snow. Low around 30. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Wednesday – Scattered snow showers before 10am, then snow showers, possibly mixed with rain. High near 41. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Wednesday Night – Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 10pm. Low around 34. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Thursday – Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10am. High near 38. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
Thursday Night – Snow showers, mainly before 10pm. Low around 25. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Friday – A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38.
Friday Night – Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.
Saturday – Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.
Saturday Night – A slight chance of rain and snow showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Sunday – A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.
Sunday Night – A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.
M.L.King Day – A slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 40.