Winter Weather Advisory in effect for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Lake Tahoe Basin from 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 16 to 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning.

Snow is expected with total snow accumulations of 3 to 8 inches for communities around Lake Tahoe and near Truckee, with amounts to near 12 inches above 7000 feet possible. Winds could gust as high as 100 mph over exposed Sierra ridges, according to NWS Reno.

For lower elevations at Lake Tahoe, winds will be from the south to southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts as high as 45 mph tonight and early Thursday. Waves could be 2 to 4 feet, highest on northern and eastern shores.

Travel could be slow and difficult with chain restrictions likely. The hazardous conditions will impact the morning commute Thursday. Dangerous boating conditions on Lake Tahoe.

The five-day forecast from NWS Reno:

Tonight - Snow, mainly after 10pm. Low around 29. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Thursday - Snow. High near 38. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 17. Calm wind.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 43. Calm wind.

Friday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. Southeast wind around 5 mph
becoming southwest after midnight.

Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 49.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 24.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 52.

Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 25.