Atmospheric River bringing 6"-12" of rain to Lake Tahoe Sunday

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - The atmospheric river heading to Lake Tahoe will produce a period of intense rainfall with snow levels as high as 9000 feet early Sunday morning to Monday morning. The National Weather Service says to expect 6"-12" of rain around the Lake Tahoe basin, the Carson Range and the foothills of Carson City and Reno.

Lower elevations in Western Nevada will see 2"-4" of rain during this time frame.

A flood watch remains in effect from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon.

There is also a high avalanche warning in place for the backcountry from noon Saturday through at least 7:00 a.m. Sunday. The Forest Service Sierra Avalanche Center says the affected area the Sierra Nevada from Yuba Pass to Ebbetts pass including the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The rain will turn to snow on Monday with forecast accumulations after 10:00 a.m. of 7"-13" during the day and evening.

The City of South Lake Tahoe still has some free sand bags available at the maintenance yard on Rufus Allen Blvd 24/7 until supplies are gone. They had run out Saturday morning but a new truck arrived before noon.