More snow headed to Lake Tahoe this weekend

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Are you shoveled out yet from this week's snowstorm? Get ready for another weekend storm that is expected to dump up to three feet of snow at upper elevations.

There are two weather systems moving into the region, the first Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon, and the second later on Saturday into Sunday with lingering snow possible on Monday.

The first system is much weaker than the winter storms that just passed but there will still be snow accumulations and impacts to the region Friday afternoon

Latest projections for snow in the Sierra look to be up to a foot at Echo Summit with 4-8 inches possible at lake level.

It is still too early to tell exactly how Sunday's storm will affect Lake Tahoe. In the next day or two forecasters will be able to pinpoint snowfall. At this time the storm system for Saturday night-Sunday is projected to push a strong cold front into northeast CA-northwest NV by early Sunday, then into the Sierra and western Nevada by Sunday afternoon and evening. A period of strong winds is probable along and ahead of this cold front, with gusts of 50+ mph possible for wind prone areas along US-395/I-580 mainly from Reno southward, and along US-95 near Walker Lake. Sierra ridge gusts could exceed 80 mph on Sunday.

As far as snowfall for the Sierra and northeast CA, snowfall rates are currently expected to increase Saturday evening as flow aloft increases orographic enhancement, with the worst travel conditions most likely late Saturday night through much of Sunday across the Sierra routes. The potential is there for
another 1-2 feet of snow around Tahoe in this 12-18 hour period, combining with the gusty winds to produce whiteout conditions

The first glimpse of the forecast from NWS Reno:

Today - Isolated snow showers before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 8. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5
mph.

Thursday - Increasing clouds, with a high near 33. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. South wind around 5 mph.

Friday - A chance of snow showers between 10am and 4pm, then a chance of snow after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday Night - Snow likely, mainly between 10pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday - Snow likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday Night - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Breezy.

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

Sunday Night - A chance of snow showers, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Breezy.

Monday - A slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 32.