SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Greater Lake Tahoe from 10 p.m. Wednesday, February 12 to 10 p.m. Friday, February 14. Expect heavy snow, with the heaviest coming at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour possibly from Thursday morning through Thursday night at most elevations.

The quick-moving storm starts with a snow level of 5500, so South Lake Tahoe will see all snow from about 4 a.m. to noon Thursday. Then it will be a rain/snow mix right at lake level, with snow in most locations away from the lake. By sunset, it will be back to all snow for all elevations in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

NWS Reno says to expect snow accumulations up to 2 feet along and west of Hwy 89 with 2 to 4 feet along the Sierra crest, and 10 to 18 inches around lake level. The storm will be bringing high wind, with ridge winds gusting as high as 100 mph and gusts up to 50 mph at lower elevations.

Waves on Lake Tahoe will be between 2-4 feet.

Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact morning and evening commutes from Wednesday through Friday. The gusty winds may result in periods of zero visibility.

Wednesday – A 30 percent chance of snow after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Calm wind. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday Night – Snow, mainly after 10pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 23. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Thursday – Rain and snow, becoming all snow in the afternoon. The snow could be heavy at times. Snow level 6400 feet. High near 40. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches is possible.

Thursday Night – Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 26. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches is possible.

Friday – Snow, mainly before 4pm. High near 37. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Friday Night – A chance of snow before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.