SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Lake Tahoe Basin and parts of Alpine County from 10 p.m. Sunday to 10 p.m. Wednesday.
The coldest storm of the season will bring heavy snow with accumulations between 18 and 30 inches of snow at Lake Tahoe, with the highest amounts on the West Shore. The Sierra Crest could see 2-5 feet. Winds will be gusting 35-45 mph in the valleys, with gusts over 100 mph over the ridge.
Travel could be very difficult to impossible with periods of white out conditions. Very strong winds could cause damage to trees and power lines.
NWS Reno says the highest snowfall rates will be late Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon. Those traveling over the holiday will need to keep an eye on road and weather conditions before hitting the road.
Now is the time to prepare for the upcoming winter storm.