Stormy week ahead for Lake Tahoe and the Sierra

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Dry weather and good travel conditions are on tap for Sunday before a series of storms move through the region this week. These storms
will bring periods of mountain snow, valley rain, and gusty winds. The greatest travel impacts will be overnight and during the early morning hours, however, the strongest storm may bring significant travel difficulties Tuesday night through Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from Tuesday evening through Thursday morning for the Lake Tahoe Basin. During that time, heavy snow is possible. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches below 7000 feet, up to 2 feet above 7000 feet with localized amounts up to 3 feet along the crest possible. Winds could gust as high as 80 mph across Sierra ridges and up to 40 mph in valley locations.

The forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. South wind around 5 mph.

Tonight - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday - A chance of rain and snow after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Monday Night - Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tuesday - Rain and snow. High near 43. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Tuesday Night- Rain and snow, becoming all snow after midnight. Low around 28. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Wednesday - Snow. High near 37. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Wednesday Night - Snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Thursday - Snow showers likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38.

Thursday Night - A chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Friday - A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

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

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.