New Winter Storm Watch issued for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Pacific storm door has opened and an active weather period will be bringing more storms to the region. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Lake Tahoe Basin in effect from Wednesday, January 4 at 10 a.m. to Thursday, January 5 at 10 p.m.

Heavy, wet snow is possible with total snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches, except 1 to 2 feet with isolated amounts of 3 feet above 7000 feet possible. Winds could gust as high as 100+ mph along the ridges.

Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage, so be prepared for more possible power outages.

Snow levels will begin around 5,000 feet, then increase to around 7,000 feet Wednesday afternoon. Snow levels will then fall again to around 6,000 feet for the remainder of the storm.

Before that storm heads to the Sierra, another system will move through Monday with a chance of 1-2 inches of snow at lake level.

The four-day forecast from NWS Reno:

This Afternoon - Snow, mainly after 4 pm. High near 35. Southwest wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight - Snow, mainly before 10 pm. Low around 16. South wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible.

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night - A 30 percent chance of snow after 4 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Wednesday - Snow before 1 pm, then rain and snow. High near 39. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible.

Wednesday Night - Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10 pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 25. South wind around 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches is possible.

Thursday - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 37. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches is possible.

Thursday Night- Snow likely, mainly before 10 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.