SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Winter returns, again, to Lake Tahoe next week. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Storm Warning and a Lake Wind Advisory for the Lake Tahoe Basin.

First comes the wind. The Lake Wind Advisory is in place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday. Expect southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet expected. The warning is for the Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties, and Mono County.

The Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 5 a.m. Tuesday to 5 p.m. Wednesday. NWS Reno says to expect heavy snow above 6500 feet. Snow accumulations of 4 to 10 inches above 6500 feet with 12 to 18 inches along highest mountain peaks. 1 to 4 inches of snow possible at lake level, especially on the west shore. Wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph across lower elevations, including Lake Tahoe where wave heights reach 1 to 3 feet. Ridgetop winds could be gusting up to 90 mph at times.

The roller coaster we’ve known all spring will bring warmer and drier weather later this week, but with lingering shower chances.

Forecast for South Lake Tahoe from NWS Reno:

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Monday Night

A slight chance of showers before 11pm, then a chance of showers after 2am. Snow level 7800 feet lowering to 7200 feet after midnight . Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday

Rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Snow level 6800 feet. High near 45. Light south wind becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night

Snow showers. Low around 24. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Wednesday

A 50 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. West wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 52.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 56.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Saturday

A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 6900 feet rising to 7600 feet in the afternoon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Saturday Night

A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 7800 feet lowering to 7100 feet after midnight . Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Sunday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 6900 feet rising to 7500 feet in the afternoon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.