Winter Storm Watch for Lake Tahoe Wednesday-Friday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A quick-moving storm has prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno to issue a Winter Storm Watch for the Greater Lake Tahoe Basin for Wednesday night at 10 p.m. through Friday morning at 10 a.m.

Heavy snow is possible. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 10 inches at lake level, 10 to 16 inches possible above that, and 14 to 26 inches above 7000 feet possible, highest along the Sierra crest. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph in valley locations with gusts above 100 mph along the Sierra crest.

Travel may be impacted and drivers should pay attention to road controls during the storm. The heaviest snowfall rates are anticipated on Thursday. The combination of heavy snow and wind may bring periods of whiteout conditions.

Snow could fall at rates of 2-3 inches an hour over the summit at times during the height of the storm.

There is a break in the snow Friday into Saturday but there could be another system coming Sunday. At this time the models are uncertain as to how much snow could be associated with that front and it will become more evident as the weekend gets closer.