Unsettled and colder weather pattern for Lake Tahoe likely for much of next week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a mild start to March, a transition to a more active weather pattern will begin this weekend and likely continue for much of next week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Anyone with trans-Sierra travel plans during this timeframe should keep close tabs on the forecast in the days to come.

First, we have two days of above-50 temperatures and lots of sunshine.

A fast-moving storm will bring some snow to the Sierra late Friday into Saturday. Possible 1"-2" of snow at lake level, 4"-6" at the crest. This is not a strong storm but could cause impacts to travel over the summits. Only light rain/snow showers expected for foothill and lower valleys. Gusty southwest-west winds will also be possible areawide with most lower elevations seeing 25-35 mph gusts, while the Sierra crest could see gusts as high as 60-80 mph.

After a relatively quiet day on Sunday, an active pattern will resume on Monday with unsettled weather expected through at least Thursday, says NWS Reno. While not anticipating any particularly strong storms, we can expect multiple low to moderate intensity waves of Sierra snowfall over a 3-4 day period. These systems will be on the colder side so expecting mostly snowfall for the duration across the Sierra with transitions back and forth between light rain and snow at lower elevations. Travel impacts are a solid bet with the first wave of Sierra snow expected Monday afternoon into Tuesday with additional waves Tuesday night into Thursday.

The NWS Reno forecast:

Today - Sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Tonight - Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. South wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night - A 40 percent chance of snow showers after 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday - A 50 percent chance of snow showers before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 21. South wind around 5 mph.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 49.

Sunday Night - A slight chance of snow after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Monday - A chance of snow, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 35.

Monday Night - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Tuesday - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33.

Tuesday Night - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Wednesday - A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 38.