Lake Tahoe storm upgraded from "watch" to "warning"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - We are already experiencing the winds that are accompanying the latest storm for the Lake Tahoe Basin. The High Wind Warning is in effect until 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Winds are from the south to southwest winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. There are hazardous boating conditions on Lake Tahoe with waves 3 to 6 feet from mid-lake to north and east shores.

In addition to the wind will be an incoming wave of mountain snow and valley rainfall later today through Wednesday. While this will mostly be a rain event for elevations broadly below 6000-6500 feet, significant travel impacts can be expected across Sierra passes and higher elevation roads. A Winter Weather Warning has been issued for Lake Tahoe from 4:00 p.m. Tuesday to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Temperatures are not dropping into freezing for South Lake Tahoe until most of the moisture portion of the storm has passed. The high Tuesday is 49 and the low is 38, with Wednesday's high is 39 and a nighttime low of 30.

The main moisture plume will begin to move into western Lassen County after about noon today with moisture dropping south into the Tahoe Basin this evening. Since Lake Tahoe is at 6224 feet, so right in the middle of the level of rain or snow. Heavy wet snow is expected above about 6000-6500 feet. Total snow accumulations around 12 to 18 inches is possible on the ridgetops above 7000 feet with localized amounts up to 2 feet on the crest. A mix of rain and snow with a couple of inches of slushy accumulation will be possible for locations down to 5500 feet in Lassen/Plumas Counties and down to lake level in the Tahoe Basin.

The two day forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Today - A 20 percent chance of rain after 1pm. Snow level 6800 feet. Increasing clouds, with a high near 49. Windy, with a southwest wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph.

Tonight - Rain. Snow level 6500 feet. Low around 38. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Wednesday - Rain before 4pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Snow level 6900 feet. High near 39. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday Night - A chance of rain and snow before 1am, then a slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.