Some winter weather returns to South Lake Tahoe to start off the week ahead

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a relatively quiet Sunday, an active weather pattern will resume on Monday with periods of snow and gusty winds through Wednesday and possibly Thursday. While the National Weather Service in Reno (NWS Reno) is not anticipating any strong storms, these storms will be on the colder side, which could bring snow to lower elevations.

A Lake Wind Advisory is in effect from 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 8. Expect winds from the southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Waves on the lake will be 3 to 5 feet.

NWS Reno highlights of this week`s weather include:

Winds Monday Afternoon-Evening: Gusts of 30-50 mph, with stronger gusts of 55 mph or greater in wind prone areas. Sierra ridge gusts 70-90 mph. High temperatures are 20 degrees less than last Monday.

Snow Monday Night Through Wednesday: Snow begins in northeast California Monday night, and spreads across the Sierra Tuesday through Wednesday. Best snow chances near the Sierra Crest, with accumulations mainly during the overnight-morning hours. Periods of light snow also possible in lower elevations of far western Nevada mainly Tuesday night into Wednesday. Snowfall totals of several inches are possible in the eastern Sierra, Tahoe Basin, and higher elevations of northeast California, with 1 foot or more near the Sierra Crest. An inch or two of snow could accumulate around the main western Nevada cities, mainly in foothill areas.

Light Snow Wednesday Night-Thursday: Periods of snow showers may bring additional light accumulations mainly to Mono County, and higher elevations of western Nevada south of Highway 50.

Some uncertainty in the storm track could impact the forecast snowfall amounts, especially farther east of the Sierra Crest. In any case, travel disruptions should be expected across the Sierra and possibly into western Nevada at times Monday afternoon through Wednesday.

Monday - A 20 percent chance of snow after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Monday Night - A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday - Snow likely, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tuesday Night - Snow likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Wednesday - Snow likely, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Wednesday Night - A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

Thursday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 17.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 45.

Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 20.

Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 49.

Saturday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

SundayMostly sunny, with a high near 46.