Winter Weather Advisory issued for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just when you thought it was safe to start dreaming of spring and gardening, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Lake Tahoe Basin. The warning is in effect from 2 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Snow is in the forecast with accumulations expected between 3" and 8" for communities around Lake Tahoe and between 7 and 14 inches above 7000 feet. Locally higher totals near 18 inches are possible along the Sierra Crest from west of Lake Tahoe to Carson Pass and Ebbetts Pass. Winds gusting as high as 35 to 45 mph in the lower elevations with gusts of 60 to 80 mph over ridge lines.

Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute. Strong winds could cause damage to trees and power lines, and impact recreation.

A 3 to 6-hour period of snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour is likely Friday evening into early Saturday morning.

The four-day forecast from NWS Reno:

Friday - Increasing clouds, with a high near 51. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday Night - Rain showers likely before 8 pm, then rain and snow showers likely between 8 pm and 11 pm, then snow showers after 11 pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Snow level 7300 feet lowering to 6300 feet after midnight. Low around 21. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches is possible.

Saturday - Snow showers, mainly after 11 am. High near 37. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Saturday Night - Snow showers likely, mainly before 11 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Sunday - A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. West wind around 5 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Sunday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Monday - A slight chance of snow showers after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 41.

Monday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.