New Winter Storm Watch issued for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Sierras have not yet said "goodbye" to the latest storm, but the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Lake Tahoe Basin for Saturday from 4 a.m. to Monday at 4 a.m.

With the new storm, heavy snow is possible with additional snow accumulations of 8 to 18 inches, except above 7000 feet where 1 to 3 feet are possible.

There will be a lull in activity starting late Thursday night through Friday before conditions begin to deteriorate again early Saturday morning. There is a slight chance of thundersnow in the higher terrain.

High avalanche danger is in place until Friday morning in the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains between Yuba Pass (Hwy 49) on the north and Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4) on the south, including the greater Lake Tahoe area.Check with the Sierra Avalanche Center at www.avalanche.org for more details if going into the backcountry.

There is good news - at this time its looking clear for at least Tuesday-Thursday!

The weekend forecast from NWS Reno:

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 34. Calm wind.

Friday Night - A 30 percent chance of snow after 5 am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

Saturday - Snow likely before 2 pm, then snow, possibly mixed with rain. High near 41. South wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible.

Saturday Night - Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 2 am. Snow level 6500 feet. Low around 25. South wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible.

Sunday - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 38. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches is possible.

Sunday Night - Snow likely, mainly before 11 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Monday - A chance of snow, mainly before 5 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 34.

Monday Night - A slight chance of snow before 11 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 11.