Major storm expected to hit Lake Tahoe at end of the week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If the forecast holds, March will be coming in like a lion this year. But first, there are Winter Weather and Lake Wind advisories to get through.

Starting at 4 a.m. Monday there is a Lake Wind Warning in place until Tuesday at 4 a.m. Expect winds from the southwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph and waves 3 to 5 feet for Lake Tahoe.

The Winter Weather Advisory starts at 6 a.m. Monday and goes until Tuesday at 4 a.m. for elevations over 6500, so above lake level. Snow accumulations at the 6500-foot level could be 3 to 6 inches except up to 8 inches along the Sierra crest. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph in valleys and over 100 mph along the Sierra crest.

Once this system leaves it will be sunny and calm through Wednesday.

The big news of the week starts Thursday evening as there is a major winter storm potential for Lake Tahoe. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno says chances are increasing for a high-impact, colder storm around the March 1-3 timeframe. Increasing confidence for a long-duration heavy snow event in the mountains. Heavy snow impacts are possible for the Western Nevada foothills with snowfall possible down to valley floors. Strong wind signals could lead to damaging wind potential Thursday-Friday.

Lake-level snow could be measuring around three feet by the time the storm leaves Sunday, but exact details will unfold as the system gets closer. The weekend temperatures will be dropping into the teens.

NWS Reno forecast for the South Lake Tahoe area:

Monday - Snow likely, mainly between 11 am and 5 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a southwest wind of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Monday Night - A 40 percent chance of snow before 11 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Breezy, with a southwest wind of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

Tuesday - Sunny, with a high near 42. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the morning.

Tuesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low of around 20. East wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight.

Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 46. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Thursday - Snow likely, mainly after 5 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Breezy.

Thursday Night - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 25. Breezy.

Friday - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Breezy.

Friday Night - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a low around 16. Breezy.

Saturday - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a high near 29.

Saturday Night - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 10.

Sunday - A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 29.