Quick moving storm to bring a little snow to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A fast-moving storm system will move across the region Saturday bringing gusty southwest winds with chances for mountain snow and valley rainfall. A few inches of snow may accumulate along Sierra passes Saturday morning and again in the evening with warmer road temperatures making afternoon accumulations less likely. Possible snow at lake level up to one inch in possible so not the Miracle March needed to help the snowpack and ease the drought.

Temperatures drop during this system with gusty winds from the northeast across the Sierra ridges Tuesday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno says its simulations heavily favor a warm and dry pattern across the region next week. Temperatures may run 10-20 degrees above average by mid-week with no chances of precipitation in the near future. Highs in South Lake Tahoe are forecast to be 65 Wednesday and Thursday.

The weekend forecast from NWS Reno:

Today - Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight - A 30 percent chance of snow showers after 5 am. Snow level 8000 feet lowering to 6300 feet after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

Saturday - Snow showers before 11 am, then rain showers. High near 46. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

Saturday Night - A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. West wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 49. Calm wind.

Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Calm wind.