Another Winter Storm Watch for Lake Tahoe Monday night - Wednesday morning

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a winter of endless cold and snowy days, there is once again a storm system headed to Lake Tahoe. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Storm Watch from Monday, March 27 at 6 p.m. to Wednesday, March 29 at 5 p.m.

Heavy snow is possible with otal snow accumulations of 1 to 3 feet above 7000 feet west of Highway 89, 8 to 18 inches in the Tahoe basin and above 5500 feet west of Highway 395, and 2 to 6 inches below 5500 feet. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph in valley locations with up to 100 mph along Sierra ridges.

There is a break in the weather to start the week on Monday when temperatures will rise gently a few degrees compared to Sunday`s highs.

A boom-bust scenario still exists with the storm watch due to the uncertainty in the surface low track along the California coast, according to NWS Reno. However, there is a high probability of a 12-18 hour period of widespread precipitation from late Monday night into Tuesday evening across northeastern California and the Sierra Nevada.

The "bust" scenario has a slightly higher chance of occurring at 30 percent - if the low tracks more south and offshore, which would limit the amount of moisture and mesoscale lift necessary for heavier snowfall.

The "boom" scenario with a 20 percent probability - if the low tracks closer to the Sierra Nevada and across, would lead to stronger frontogenesis and moisture flux generating more persistent bands of heavier snowfall.

Which will South Lake Tahoe have?

March came in like a like, but going out isn't very lamb-like. Temperatures should remain below average with a chance for light snow showers Thursday and Friday. Some models are hinting at the possibility of another cold upper-level low sagging south into the region, which could bring snow and below average temperatures next weekend. (oh, joy)

The NWS Reno forecast for South Lake Tahoe:

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. South wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Sunday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 17. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.

Monday Night - A 20 percent chance of snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Tuesday - Snow, mainly after 11am. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 35. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Tuesday Night - Snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Wednesday - Snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.

Wednesday Night - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Thursday - A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 36.

Thursday Night - A slight chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Friday - A slight chance of snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

Friday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Saturday - A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy.