Upper elevations to see "feet" of snow; Winter Storm Warnings start Friday

Is the snow blower tuned up and full of gas? Have you replaced that broken shovel from last year? Did you get your snow tires on your car? Is the outdoor furniture put away or covered?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions you've most likely been paying attention to the weather reports that snow is on the way to Lake Tahoe.

Lake Wind Advisories went up Thursday night at 11:00 p.m. and remains in effect until 11:00 a.m. Friday for Lake Tahoe. Winds will be from the southwest 15-25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Waves will be 2-3 feet. Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve.

Winter Storm Warning is in place from 11:00 a.m. Friday to 11:00 p.m. Saturday. Heavy snow expected. Plan on difficult travel conditions especially over the passes. A second, colder wave will hit Lake Tahoe Sunday night.

Total snow accumulations Friday-Saturday:
Above 7000 feet 1 to 2 feet with locally higher amounts.
Between 6500 and 7000 feet 5 to 10 inches with up to 4 inches at lake level. Higher amounts are possible at lake level if snow levels drop faster.

Be prepared for significant reductions in visibility at times. Wind gusts up to 100 mph over the ridges and 40 mph in the lower elevations with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet on Lake Tahoe.

The forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Friday - A 40 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 46. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday Night - Rain and snow. Low around 30. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday - Rain and snow. High near 41. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night - Rain and snow showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday - A chance of rain and snow showers before 11am, then a chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday Night - A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday - A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.

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

Wednesday - A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 49.

Wednesday Night - A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Thursday - Partly sunny, with a high near 50.