SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – By now, everyone has heard of the major winter storm heading to the Sierra Nevada. Forecasts haven’t changed much, though the estimated snowfall amounts have increased. Snow will reach South Lake Tahoe in the early morning hours, with the highest snowfall rates through Monday evening, then again Tuesday afternoon-evening, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Before heading out on the roads, watch Caltrans Quickmaps and Nevada 511 for current information. If you were at Lake Tahoe for the holiday weekend and need to head home on Monday, be on the road very early (if you missed the clear window on Sunday). The snow is forecast to start around 3 a.m. Monday.

The significant winter storm is still on track to bring periods of heavy snowfall to the region through Wednesday. There are still two parts to this system, according to NWS Reno. The first part impacting the area later tonight into Monday evening. The second half of this system is expected to be stronger and colder, and will start late Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning. Although there is a break in the action on Monday night into Tuesday morning, there will be some persistent snow showers.

As the next system gets closer to the Sierra later in the week, its possible impact will become clearer.

The weekly South Lake Tahoe forecast from NWS Reno:

Washington’s Birthday

Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 36. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Monday Night

Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 14. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches is possible.

Tuesday

Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 28. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 16 inches possible.

Tuesday Night

Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 10. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.

Wednesday

Snow. High near 25. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Wednesday Night

Snow. Low around 10. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Thursday

Snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27.

Thursday Night

Snow likely, mainly before 10 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10.

Friday

A chance of snow, mainly before 4 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 32.

Friday Night

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12.

Saturday

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

Saturday Night

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

Sunday

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 41.