SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The impact of the early-season Sierra storm expected Monday-Tuesday in the Lake Tahoe Basin has started to be scaled back. The storm is showing a more favorable setup for snow in Mono County, but less so for the Tahoe Basin, with a slightly more offshore track as the low drops south, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

The Winter Storm Watch has been updated to a Winter Storm Advisory for Lake Tahoe. Check the end of this story for an explanations of the warnings, watches, and advisories.

7-day South Lake Tahoe forecast from NWS Reno:

Indigenous Peoples Day

A chance of snow showers before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 8am and 11am, then a chance of rain showers after 11am. Snow level rising to 7000 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Monday Night

Rain likely before 8pm, then rain and snow between 8pm and 2am, then snow after 2am. Snow level 6800 feet lowering to 6300 feet after midnight . Low around 26. South wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tuesday

Snow showers before 11am, then rain showers. High near 44. South wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Tuesday Night

Snow showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Wednesday

A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 11am. Snow level rising to 7100 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 24.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 54.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 61.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 64.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 59.

Normally, a Winter Storm Watch will be issued in advance of the storm (usually at least 24 hours). It indicates the risk of a hazardous winter weather event has increased (at least a 50% chance of it occurring), but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so you can make plans to stay safe. While rare for our area, a Blizzard Watch may be issued instead. 

As the event becomes imminent, a watch will normally be upgraded to either a warning or an advisory (which indicates an 80% or greater probability of occurence). A Warning indicates that conditions pose a threat to life or property, and that travel will become difficult to impossible. An Advisory indicates conditions pose a significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property. 

There are 3 types of warnings issued by NWS Reno:

  • A Winter Storm Warning indicates that heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected. It can also be issued if sleet accumulation will be at least half an inch. 
  • An Ice Storm Warning indicates that ice accumulation of at least 1/4 inch is expected.
  • A Blizzard Warning indicates that blizzard conditions (low visibility of less than 1/4 mile due to falling and/or blowing snow, and winds at least 35 mph) are expected for at least 3 hours. 

There are two types of advisories issued by NWS Reno:

  • A Freezing Rain Advisory indicates that ice accumulation of up to 1/4 inch is expected.
  • A Winter Weather Advisory is issued for one or more of the following:  Snow of 3 to 5 inches in 12 hours, sleet accumulation up to 1/4 inch, freezing rain in combination with sleet and/or snow, or blowing snow.