Winter Storm Warning in place through Monday in Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A winter storm is heading to Lake Tahoe, the first of a series of storms that will impact the region starting Saturday and lasting on and off into at least the middle of next week.

The Winter Storm Warning has been extended and is now in effect from 10:00 a.m. Saturday to 4:00 a.m. Monday.

Heavy snow coupled with strong south southwest winds is expected. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour likely with visibilities below one-half mile at times. A brief break develops Sunday afternoon, then moderate to heavy snow develops again for Sunday night into Monday morning. Sample Total snowfall amounts: 2-4 inches Susanville, 9-15 inches Portola, 10-18 inches Truckee and Tahoe, 20-36 inches at passes. Valley wind gusts to 50 mph, ridges to 115 mph.

But first, The National Weather Service (nWS) in Reno has issued a Lake Wind Advisory for Lake Tahoe and it is in effect from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Winds will be from the south 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph in the afternoon. Wave heights on the lake will be from 1 to 4 feet with highest waves from mid-lake to the north and east shores.

The forecast from NWS Reno:

Saturday - Snow, mainly after 11am. High near 36. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Saturday Night - Snow. Low around 27. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Sunday - Snow likely before 11am, then a chance of snow showers after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday Night - A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Windy, with a southwest wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Monday - A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday Night - A slight chance of rain showers before 11pm, then a slight chance of snow showers after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday - A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11am, then a slight chance of rain showers between 11am and 5pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47.

Tuesday Night - A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Wednesday - Rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

Wednesday Night = A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Thursday - A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41.

Thursday Night - A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Friday - Partly sunny, with a high near 41.