Could that be snow in the Lake Tahoe forecast?

With the Sierra snowpack at three percent of normal at Echo Summit, and 84 percent of normal at top of Mt. Rose, snow is needed not only on the slopes, but at upper elevations to keep reservoirs full of water for summer.

The weather pattern remains unsettled into the weekend in Northern Nevada and Lake Tahoe. A warm and relatively weak system Friday evening into Saturday will bring
additional rain and high elevation snow to the region. A brief break is expected Sunday before a stronger and wetter system is forecast to impact the region Monday and Tuesday.

Friday's weather system is warm, and while it contains moisture very little snow is expected. Snow levels will be around 8,000 feet. The high Sierra could see as much as a foot of snow, but very little accumulation, if any, below 8,000 feet. The Carson Range will likely half the totals from the Sierra crest with up to 6 inches or so possible. Similarly, the Sierra in southern Mono County could accumulate up to 6 inches or so.

A potent storm system with a significant tap of Pacific moisture is still on track to move into the Sierra and western Nevada late Monday into Tuesday according to the National Weather Service in Reno. Models show decent precipitation amounts across the region. While this system will produce a boost, especially at upper elevations, this storm alone will not be enough to reach the season-to-date average.

Snow levels Monday and Monday night should be about 7,500 feet, dropping as the cooler phase hits the Sierra Tuesday. Snow levels should drop to the 6,000-6,500 ft range. The storm has potential to produce accumulations of 1-2 feet above 7,500 ft with higher amounts across the crest.

Be prepared for winter travel conditions across the Sierra for all of Tuesday including the morning commute, and possibly late Monday night if the faster storm track scenario occurs. If that happens, areas between 6,500-7,500 ft could see a few hours of heavy snowfall early Tuesday. A short period of wet snow is also possible around Lake Tahoe level, but at this time it looks like significant accumulations at this elevation are unlikely.

Forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Tonight - Rain, mainly after 10pm. Low around 30. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday - Rain likely before 10am, then a chance of showers after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light south in the evening.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Sunday Night - A 20 percent chance of rain after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Monday - Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday Night - Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 34.

Tuesday - Rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 42.

Tuesday Night - A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 28.

Wednesday - A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.

Wednesday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Thursday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Friday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.