Major storm headed for Lake Tahoe; Mountain travel discouraged

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a Winter Storm Warning in place for Lake Tahoe, one that starts on Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. and lasts until Monday night at 10:00 p.m. as two major storms take aim for Lake Tahoe.

The incoming storms have prompted travel officials to warn travelers to get to Lake Tahoe by 4:00 p.m. Friday night and to stay off mountain roads from then until early Monday morning.

The warnings are calling for heavy snow at lake level anywhere from 19" to 33" and up to five feet of snow above 7000 feet over the four-day period.

According to the National Weather Service in Reno, this very active weather pattern is coming through in two waves, with high forecaster confidence for heavy snow in the Sierra causing significant travel issues. For the lower valleys, confidence is increasing in a 1-3 hour period of heavy rain Saturday and then for snowfall Sunday night and Monday.

Friday and Saturday: Snow is expected to begin Friday evening and then become heavy at times overnight into Saturday. Snow levels will start near 6500-7000 feet before crashing down with the cold front Saturday morning to near 5000 feet. 1-2+ feet of snow possible above 7000 feet with up to a foot down to 6000 feet along 395 in Mono County and the Tahoe Basin.

A Winter Storm Warning was issued through Monday evening as there won`t be much of a break. Snow showers will continue overnight Saturday with lighter accumulations. The next wave will arrive during the day Sunday.

Sunday and early Monday: Snow levels will be falling through the night Sunday as a moderately strong cold front pushes through the region. Additionally, simulations show a very little break in active weather with snow levels down to all valley floors in time for the morning commute. As such, it is expected that any precipitation will fall as snow. Conservative estimates at this time are generally 1-4 inches for western Nevada along the Highway 395 corridor with up to 6 inches in more localized spots. It should be noted that error bounds for snowfall are towards higher accumulations at this time! There is higher confidence in heavy, powdery snowfall accumulations for the Sierra with another 1-2 feet down to Lake
Tahoe level possible and 2-4 feet of additional snow above 7000 feet.

Wind will be an issue with this storm. Gusts will be generally 30-40 mph for western Nevada Sunday night through Monday. These speeds and the low moisture content of the snow will likely cause low visibility for those traveling. Expect difficult travel at times area-wide with the potential for blizzard-like conditions in the Sierra.

The four-day forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Friday - Rain and snow likely after 4 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday Night - Rain and snow. Low around 32. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Saturday - Snow. High near 35. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

Saturday Night - Snow. Low around 24. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Sunday - Snow. High near 34. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Sunday Night - Snow. Low around 21. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

Monday - Snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Breezy.

Monday Night - A chance of snow, mainly before 4 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. Breezy.