High Wind and Winter Storm Watches in place for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - This winter hasn't been much of a snow producer, but a new storm heading to the Lake Tahoe basin will try and change that. A significant looking late-season winter storm on the horizon starting late Friday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS)in reno.

To start off, a High Wind Watch has been issued by the NWS for Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. At lake level, expect southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. Sierra ridge gusts of 100 mph or more possible. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Obviously, this would be an unwise and dangerous time to be out on Lake Tahoe due to rough water and waves up to 5 feet. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Elevated fire concerns will also exist due to the strong winds and low relative humidity values.

Then comes the Winter Storm Watch from Saturday morning through Monday morning.

Heavy snow is possible. 10 to 16 inches are expected for Truckee and Lake Tahoe, with amounts 2 to 3 feet for the High Sierra is possible. Southwest winds will continue with gusts as high as 50 mph with Sierra ridges over 100 mph mainly Saturday, decreasing in intensity late Saturday night.

The NWS Reno forecast for the next five days in Lake Tahoe:

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night - Clear, with a low around 21. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind becoming west 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Friday Night - A slight chance of rain and snow between 11pm and 2am, then a slight chance of snow after 2am. Snow level 7300 feet lowering to 6400 feet after midnight . Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday - Snow likely, mainly after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday Night - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 21. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

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

Sunday Night - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a low
around 16.

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

Monday Night - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.