Winter Weather Advisory issued for Lake Tahoe as first of three systems heads to the Sierra

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A series of storms will move through the Sierra and western Nevada starting Thursday and into the holiday weekend. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the greater Lake Tahoe area and Mono County. The incoming system is a quick one with the advisory in effect from 4:00 p.m. Thursday to 4:00 p.m. Friday.

Total snow accumulations of up to 5 inches are forecast at lake level and west of US395 in Mono County. Above 7000 feet north of Highway 50, 6 to 12 inches is possible, and 6 to 18 inches above 7000 feet south of Highway 50. Sierra ridge winds up to 100 mph with lower elevation winds gusting between 40 to 50 mph.

Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

There will be hazardous boating conditions at Lake Tahoe with wave heights 2 to 5 feet. Lake conditions will remain choppy much of the holiday weekend.

The second system, Saturday into Sunday, will bring another round of gusty winds and wintry precipitation with better chances for snow at all elevations. The third storm arrives at arguably the worst time during the holiday weekend, early Monday morning. This third storm in the series will usher in a third round of gusty winds, chances for snow and impacts to the end of the holiday weekend.

For those traveling over the Sierra for the holiday weekend, there will be some weather breaks aka preferred travel times:
- Today through early Thursday afternoon
- Friday afternoon and evening
- Sunday through early Monday morning

Holiday weekend forecast from NWS Reno:

Thursday - A chance of rain and snow after 10am. Snow level rising to 6700 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday Night - Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 1am. Low around 27. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Friday - A 20 percent chance of snow before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday Night - Snow likely after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday - Snow likely, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Saturday Night - A 20 percent chance of snow before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

Sunday Night - A chance of snow after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Washington's Birthday - A chance of snow before 10am, then a chance of rain between 10am and 4pm, then a chance of rain and snow after 4pm. Snow level rising to 6800 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

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