Wind and Winter Weather Advisories in place for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In case you haven't had enough of winter weather yet there is more due for Lake Tahoe over the next seven days. The first couple days of meteorological spring will continue the active storm pattern we`ve seen in February according to the National Weather Service in Reno. Our next storm Saturday into Sunday will bring rain and snow impacts to the region.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Lake Wind Advisory until Friday night at 7:00 p.m. and a Winter Weather Advisory from midnight Friday to 6:00 p.m. Saturday.

Mountains and foothill areas above 5000-5500 feet can expect periods of snow starting pre-dawn Saturday lasting through Saturday afternoon. Peak snowfall rates will be Saturday morning but temperatures at lake level may bring more rain than snow.

Significant travel impacts are possible with delays and chain controls likely. Road conditions may improve some Saturday afternoon if snow intensities lessen enough.

Heavy snow is expected at times, mainly above 7000 feet. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are possible at lake level with 12 to 20 inches in the higher elevations. Ridge winds could gust as high as 75 mph.

The overall pattern looks to remain locked in with a longwave trough being the dominant feature in the west going into the second week of March. This will keep temperatures below normal with higher than average chances for more rain and snow, NWS said.

The Forecast from NWS-Reno:

This Afternoon - A chance of rain and snow, mainly after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tonight - A chance of rain and snow before 10pm, then snow. Low around 25. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday - Rain and snow. High near 37. East wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday Night - Rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday - Snow showers likely, possibly mixed with rain. Some thunder is also possible. Cloudy, with a high near 42. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night - A chance of rain and snow showers before 10pm, then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Monday Night - A chance of snow after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Tuesday - Snow likely, mainly after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 41.

Tuesday Night - Rain and snow. Cloudy, with a low around 31.

Wednesday - Rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 35.

Wednesday Night - Snow. Cloudy, with a low around 29.

Thursday - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.