Major winter storm possible this week in Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Significant impacts from a potentially major winter storm are forecast for the Sierra and lower valleys next week, beginning late Monday night and going until Thursday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno said confidence is building that the storm could bring several feet of snow above 8000 feet, and up to two feet down to 6000 feet.

Periods of rain and snow are expected in the lower valleys of northeast California and western Nevada Tuesday through Thursday. Light accumulations of snow are possible there as well, especially Tuesday afternoon and evening.

SIERRA: Snow is expected to begin late Monday night and continue through Thursday evening. The snow will be heavy at times, especially Tuesday night through Thursday. The snow may briefly change to rain below 6500 feet Thursday morning before changing back to snow. Winds will be gust at times Wednesday and Thursday with ridge gusts of 60-80 mph Wednesday increasing to 100+ mph Thursday.

LOWER VALLEYS: Rain and snow to begin Tuesday changing to all rain Tuesday night. Snow levels near the valley floors Tuesday may result in some valleys seeing snow while adjacent valleys see rain. Light accumulations are possible. Rain Wednesday and Thursday may produce amounts up to 1 inch.

For those traveling through the Sierra Nevada it will be important to pay attention to roads as travel may be impacted with road closures and controls.

The NWS Reno forecast:

Today - Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. East wind around 5 mph.

Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 21. East wind around 5 mph.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 40. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.

Sunday Night - A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. East wind around 5 mph.

Monday - A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. East wind around 5 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday Night - A chance of snow showers before 4am, then snow likely after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tuesday - Snow. High near 36. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Tuesday Night - Snow. Cloudy, with a low around 28.

Wednesday - Rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 34. Breezy.

Wednesday Night - Rain and snow. Cloudy, with a low around 31.

Thursday - Rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy.

Thursday Night - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy.

Friday - A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.