Snow anticipated by Monday for mountains above Lake Tahoe

A strong early season storm is expected for Lake Tahoe and the Sierra by Monday bringing gusty winds, rain, mountain snow and cold weather to the region. Snow levels above Lake Tahoe could dip down near lake level to 6,500 to 7,000, the National Weather Service in Reno reports.

The significant pattern shift begins Sunday as a strong jet digs an area of low pressure bringing a deep plume of moisture into the West Coast. Chances for rain and snow showers exist from Sunday through Thursday, with the best chances for heavier showers Monday night through Wednesday, the weather service reports.

This system will bring a much colder air mass to the region with high temperatures dropping into the 50s in western Nevada valleys in into the 40s in the Sierra, which also translates to falling snow levels. Snow levels may drop as low as 5500-6500 feet north of Interstate 80 and 6,500-7,500 feet south of the Interstate, with accumulating snow possible above 6000 feet, which could affect travel across Sierra passes next week.

The images in the graphic above are model jet stream forecasts. The image on the left shows the current area of high pressure and warmer conditions which will dominate the weather through Saturday, and the image on the right shows the strong jet bringing the low pressure to the west next week.

With the jet stream overhead, Sierra ridges may gust up to 100 mph with strong and gusty winds also likely throughout valley locations. Another jet streak edges northward Wednesday; ridge winds could increase to 120 mph.