Winter Storm Watch Sunday-Tuesday - "Feet " of snow in the upper elevation forecast

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The quick-hitting inside slider, which brought snow to the area has moved off over the Rockies and a major winter storm is on tap for Sunday through at least Tuesday of next week. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the Lake Tahoe Basin from Saturday, December 11, 10:00 p.m. until Tuesday, December 14, 10:00 p.m. with heavy snow at times in the forecast.

A significant winter storm is shaping up to dump feet of snow in the Sierra with difficult if not impossible travel at times through the event, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. Conditions will begin to deteriorate in the Sierra near and north of US-50 Sunday, spreading south with all Sierra travel affected by Monday.

The period for peak snowfall rates is currently targeting Sunday Night-Tuesday. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 4 feet, with 3 to 6 feet above 7000 feet possible. This storm will bring periods of gusty winds, with the strongest winds anticipated Sunday night. Sierra ridge winds could exceed 100 mph with gusts to 50 mph in the lower elevations.

Travel could be very difficult to impossible due to heavy snow and whiteout conditions. Very strong winds could cause tree damage. Strong winds will produce hazardous conditions on Lake Tahoe with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet.

This storm will bring a mix of rain and snow to valleys below 6000 feet, with changes back and forth through the event.

The forecast from NWS Reno:

Today - Sunny, with a high near 38. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tonight - Increasing clouds, with a low around 16. South wind around 5 mph.

Saturday - Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday Night - A 30 percent chance of snow after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

Sunday - Snow likely before 1 p.m., then rain likely between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., then rain and snow likely after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch is possible.

Sunday Night - Rain and snow likely before 7 p.m., then snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 25. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches is possible.

Monday - Snow before 1 p.m., then rain. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 42. Breezy. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches is possible.

Monday Night - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a low around 22. Breezy.

Tuesday - Snow, mainly before 4 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.

Tuesday Night - A chance of snow, mainly before 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9.

Wednesday - A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 33.

Wednesday Night - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.

Thursday - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39.