Lake Tahoe Winter Storm Warning above 7000 feet for Thursday and Friday

The inversion layer over Lake Tahoe Tuesday will be pushed out Wednesday as a new storm hits the basin late Wednesday night. Travel over the passes will be impacted during this storm, but with a winter storm warning up for elevations above 7,000 feet, lake level will see mostly rain with a little snow.

Snow will begin to move into the Sierra late Wednesday night with periods of moderate to heavy snow continuing through Friday evening according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. The winter storm warning has moved to 1:00 a.m. Thursday to 10:00 p.m. Friday, February 3.

The Sierra Crest may see 1'-2' while lake level accumulations are currently forecast at 3" to 6", but with the warmer temperatures and fluctuating snow levels involved in this storm, those estimates may be high.

Winds will be from the south and southwest 15-25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph. Ridge gusts may be 80-100 mph.

Wednesday night snow levels will start at 6,000 feet, rising to 7,000-7,500 feet Thursday.

Here is the forecast from the NWS Reno:

Today - Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Tonight - Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday - Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night - Snow, mainly after 4am. Low around 31. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Thursday - Snow before 10am, then rain. High near 41. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Thursday Night - Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday - Rain likely before 10am, then rain and snow. High near 40. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Friday Night - Rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Saturday - A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

Saturday Night - A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

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

Sunday Night - A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Monday - Rain and snow showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy.