Winter Weather Advisory for Christmas Eve at Lake Tahoe; Clear and sunny Christmas Day

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Christmas Eve for the Greater Lake Tahoe area, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. They are calling for snow above 6500 feet with accumulations of 2 to 6 inches west of Highway 89 with up to 12 inches along the highest peaks. Lake Level could see up to 2 inches though much of this storm will result in rain at the lake. Ridge winds could be gusting as high as 90 mph. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph with wave heights between 1 to 3 feet on Lake Tahoe.

Christmas Day is the only day that will be clear in the coming week. The quick-moving bursts of weather before and after are trending warm so much of the precipitation at 6300 feet will be rain, with some snow.

NWS Reno's forecast for South Lake Tahoe this week:

Monday - A slight chance of showers before 7 am, then a slight chance of showers after 4 pm. Snow level 7800 feet. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Southwest wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 10%.

Monday Night - A slight chance of rain showers before 4 am, then rain and snow showers. Snow level 8000 feet. Low around 28. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Tuesday - Rain and snow showers before 7 am, then rain showers between 7 am and 10 am, then snow after 10 am. Snow level 7300 feet lowering to 6300 feet in the afternoon. High near 41. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Tuesday Night - A 30 percent chance of snow before 10 pm. Partly cloudy, with a low of around 15. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Christmas Day - Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Calm wind.

Wednesday Night - A 20 percent chance of snow after 10 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Thursday - Snow likely, mainly before 4 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39.

Thursday Night - Snow is likely, mainly between 10 pm and 4 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Friday - A chance of snow before 10 am, then rain likely. Snow level rising to 7700 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42.

Friday Night - Rain and snow likely. Snow level 8200 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 30.

Saturday - Rain and snow are likely. Snow level 8600 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

Saturday Night - A chance of rain and snow. Snow level 8100 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Sunday - A chance of rain and snow. Snow level 7500 feet. Partly sunny, with a high near 46.

If traveling through the mountains, watch road conditions for California at https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ and for Nevada, https://www.nvroads.com/.