Next storm headed to Lake Tahoe Friday afternoon; Bigger system late Sunday night

A series of storms will impact the region today through the middle of next week. The strongest storm in the series will impact the Sierra and western Nevada late Sunday night through Tuesday.

Phase One was in Lake Tahoe Thursday, bringing winds and snow with chain controls over mountain roads early in the day, but the system left the area fairly quickly.

The next phase is Friday, just as the holiday travelers head to the mountains. There is a Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 7:00 a.m. Friday to 10:00 a.m. Saturday. The heaviest snow will be Friday afternoon and evening. Snow level is near 5000 feet Friday morning, rising to near 6000 feet Friday night. Snow accumulations will be 4 to 8 inches at lake level, with 8 to 16 inches above 7000 feet.

On Saturday, rain and snow showers are likely, mainly before 10:00 a.m. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible at lake level.

There will be a break in the action Saturday afternoon through Sunday before much stronger storm arrives late Sunday night and sticking around into Tuesday. Forecasters are calling for significant precipitation amounts. Snow levels remain uncertain and will greatly affect the potential for runoff and flooding, especially for northeast California and the northern Sierra.

As that system gets closer, forecasters will update their storm warnings.