SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Dry weather will continue around the Lake Tahoe Basin through Tuesday with cold nights and sunny days. Starting late Tuesday, expect increasing breezes with a stronger winter storm expected Thursday and Friday. At this point, expect heavy Sierra snow, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Forecasters are watching the storm as it gets closer. At this time it looks like the main event is shaping up to be a significant winter storm (it’s been a while) that will start in the early morning hours of Thursday, peaking in intensity Thursday afternoon-event, and transitioning to shower bands on Friday. NWS ensembles a nearly continuous 24-36 hour period of heavy snow in the Sierra with 2-4 feet along the crest, 1-2 feet near lake level southward to Mono County.

Early predictions for South Lake Tahoe show 10-16 inches of snow Thursday, and another 1-3 inches on Friday. If traveling, keep an eye on road conditions.

The weekly forecast for South Lake Tahoe from NWS Reno:

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 41. Calm wind.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. Calm wind.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 36. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Calm wind.

Wednesday

A 50 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. West wind around 5 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night

Snow likely, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Thursday

Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a high near 40. New snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.

Thursday Night

Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a low around 25.

Friday

Snow, mainly before 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 37.

Friday Night

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Saturday

A slight chance of snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Saturday Night

A slight chance of rain and snow. Snow level 6600 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Sunday

A chance of rain and snow. Snow level 6400 feet rising to 7200 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.