Snow and wind make a return to Lake Tahoe, starting with Winter Weather Advisory

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A strong late-season winter storm arrives on Monday, making it feel like January and not April. Plan on a round of very strong and potentially damaging winds on Monday along with Sierra travel impacts due to snow Monday into Monday night. Much colder weather persists for most of this week with below-freezing temperatures starting Monday night.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory to be in effect from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 12.

Snow is expected with accumulations of 2 to 8 inches, except 8 to 14 inches above 7000 feet. Sierra ridge winds gusting near 100 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the lower elevations.

There is also a 10 to 20 percent chance of thunderstorms Monday.

After this first weather system exits, it will remain cold with north to northwest breezes, clouds, and a few light showers lingering about. Morning lows will start into the teens and 20s, with few single-digit readings in the Sierra if skies clear. Afternoon highs will only climb to the 30s and 40s.

The next weather system is on track to arrive Wednesday and is looking a bit stronger at this time. The bulk of the Sierra snow should arrive late Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Wind energy with this weather system arrives late Thursday into Thursday night. Be prepared for gusty winds of 30-45 mph Thursday afternoon into Thursday night.

Spring looks to be returning for Easter Sunday with sunny skies and highs into the 50s.

The weekly forecast from NWS Reno for South Lake Tahoe:

Monday - Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. High near 40. Breezy, with a southwest wind of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches is possible.

Monday Night - A 40 percent chance of snow showers before 11 pm. Some thunder is also possible. Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. Breezy, with a west wind of 15 to 20 mph and decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Tuesday - A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 11 am. Sunny, with a high near 38. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night - A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 11 pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday - A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 11 am. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night - A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Thursday - Snow showers are likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.

Thursday Night - A chance of snow showers, mainly before 11 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Friday - A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 46.

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

Saturday - A chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 19.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 53.