Windy start to a week that brings Lake Tahoe snow, rain, and sunshine

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - More active weather is on the way beginning Monday. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Lake Wind Advisory for the Lake Tahoe Basin that will be in effect from 11:00 a.m. Monday to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday. Expect southwest winds of 15-25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Up to 100 mph at the Sierra Crest and 60 mph in wind prone areas. Waves on the lake 2-4 feet are possible.

A light snowfall accumulation is possible above 6,000-6,500 feet Monday night through Tuesday. Amounts will generally be less than 2 inches at lake level in the Tahoe Basin while closer to the crest, 6 to 12 inches is possible. Western Nevada will mostly be shadowed for this event, although a dusting of snow is possible above 6,000 feet. Travel across Tahoe area passes will likely be slick and hazardous Tuesday morning.

A prolonged period of active weather is likely during the second half of the week. While it does not look as windy as the first system, it will be colder and wetter. Expect moderate to major travel disruptions across the Sierra.

The South Lake Tahoe forecast from NWS Reno:

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a south wind of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Monday Night - A 40 percent chance of snow showers after 11 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Windy, with a south wind of 20 to 25 mph and increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch is possible.

Tuesday - Snow likely before 8 am, then rain and snow likely. Snow level 6300 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a southwest wind of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch is possible.

Tuesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday - A slight chance of snow between 11 am and 2 pm, then a slight chance of rain after 2 pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Breezy, with a southwest wind of 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night - A chance of rain and snow before 11 pm, then snow likely. Snow level 6800 feet lowering to 6300 feet after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Breezy. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible.

Thursday - Snow likely before 11 am, then snow showers after 11 am. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Breezy.

Thursday Night - Snow showers likely before 11 pm, then a chance of snow after 11 pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Friday - A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

Friday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 57.