Incoming storm upgraded to Winter Storm Warning - possible two feet of snow at lake level

FRIDAY UPDATE 9AM: The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has updated the expected storm totals for Lake Tahoe, but they still expect a major winter storm. The new total at lake level is forecast to be more like 12"-22" though Reno forecasters expect the higher number at this time. It will still be a major winter storm but the upper-level low came down offshore instead of over land and resulted in more push into Mono County, but Tahoe will still be impacted. Things will still fluctuate over the Sierra as the storm begins to enter the region.

As of 9 a.m. Friday, the NWS forecast for South Lake Tahoe:

Friday night - A 30 percent chance of snow after 1 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Saturday - Snow. High near 40. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. A new snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches is possible.

Saturday Night - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 18. The southwest wind is around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. A new snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches is possible.

Sunday - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 32. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches is possible.

Sunday Night - A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly before 4 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Calm wind. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a Winter Storm Warning in effect for the Lake Tahoe Basin from 4 a.m. Saturday through 4 a.m. Monday. The storm was previously a "Winter Storm Watch."

Heavy snow is expected with total snow accumulations of 18 to 28 inches, except 2 to 4 feet above 7000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph with ridgetop gusts over 100 mph.

The heaviest snowfall rates are anticipated Saturday and Sunday. The combination of heavy snow and wind may bring periods of whiteout conditions. The heaviest period of snowfall through the Tahoe Basin will target Saturday mid-morning to evening where hourly snowfall rates of 2-3"/hr will be possible

A fast-moving storm is bringing a quick few inches of snow and gusty winds to the Sierra tonight into Friday morning. With this system, a Lake Wind Advisory will be in place until 4 a.m. Friday. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected until then.

The forecast from National Weather Service in Reno:

Tonight - Snow likely, mainly before 4 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Breezy, with a southwest wind of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Friday - A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 1 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

Friday Night - Snow, mainly after 4 am. Low around 20. Breezy, with a southwest wind of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Saturday - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 37. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. A new snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches is possible.

Saturday Night - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 17. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 9 to 13 inches is possible.

Sunday - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 30. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches is possible.

Sunday Night - A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly before 4 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

Snow showers will begin to taper off through Monday with quieter weather including lighter winds and colder conditions prevailing next week.