First wave of storm not as strong as originally thought, expect heavy snow Christmas Day

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first wave of storms headed to Lake Tahoe this week will not be dropping as much snow as originally forecast, but waves of storms starting Christmas Day are still looking strong.

The key to this first wave is the elevation one is at. At lake level, there is a chance of rain and snow, while above 6700 feet the forecast is snow so passes could still see travel issues.

Recent models are showing forecasters there is less snow for Lake Tahoe, especially in this first portion of the weather pattern hitting the area Tuesday night.

"Snow totals are starting to drop, and it's not looking as not as robust," said Heather Richards, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno of the Tuesday-Wednesday storm.

Richards said there has been a significant difference in their guidance and the direction the storm is taking.

While the first wave of the storm isn't looking as strong, the following waves will be different and heavy snowfall is still expected especially starting Christmas Day.

The Tahoe area will see a slight break in the weather pattern from later Thursday evening into Christmas morning, then heavy snow is expected for much of the following week.

Travelers still need to be prepared for stormy weather as the mountain passes will still see much more snow than those at lake level on Tuesday and Wednesday, then keep an eye on conditions starting Saturday, Christmas Day.

The current forecast for the week:

Tonight - Snow, mainly after 4am. Patchy fog after 2am. Low around 26. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Wednesday - Rain and snow before 10am, then rain between 10am and 4pm, then snow after 4pm. Areas of fog before noon, then patchy fog after 3pm. Snow level 6900 feet rising to 7600 feet in the afternoon. High near 42. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday Night - Snow before 10pm, then rain and snow. Patchy fog. Snow level 6700 feet. Low around 30. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

Thursday - Snow before 10am, then rain between 10am and 4pm, then rain, possibly mixed with snow after 4pm. High near 42. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night - A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Friday - A 40 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 36. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Friday Night - Snow likely, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Christmas Day - Snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.

Saturday Night - Snow likely, mainly after 4am. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Sunday - Snow likely. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Breezy.

Sunday Night - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Monday - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33.