SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued two warnings for the Lake Tahoe Area – a Winter Storm Warning and an Avalanche Watch.
The next storm heading to the Sierra brings a chance for heavy snow, especially at upper elevations. The warning, from 10 a.m. Thursday to noon on Friday says above 6500 feet will have 6-10 inches of snow, with 2-3 feet at the highest mountain peaks. Ridge winds will be gusting as high as 100 mph with gusts up the 50 mph at lower elevations. Waves on Lake Tahoe will be between 2-4 feet.
Lake level will see rain before temperatures drop, with a total of snow with this system of about 2-4 inches.
The Sierra Avalanche Center warns that there is a high avalanche danger in the Lake Tahoe area from midday Thursday through Friday morning due to the storm. This does not include ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation programs exist.
The storm window is open and expect snow for most of next week.
The NWS Reno four-day forecast:
Thursday
Snow before 1pm, then rain. High near 44. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Thursday Night
Rain before 1am, then rain and snow. Snow level 7000 feet. Low around 24. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Friday
Snow. High near 36. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 37. Calm wind.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 8.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 38.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 11.