Cold, windy and a chance of snow in Lake Tahoe Sunday-Monday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - There is a Lake Wind Advisory in effect for Lake Tahoe until 10:00 p.m. Sunday as a cold front moves through the region.

Winds will be from the southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph by mid to late morning, increasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph in the afternoon. Waves on the lake will be increasing to 2 to 4 feet this afternoon, with the highest waves from mid-lake to northeastern shores.

This strong front will also bring snow levels down to most valley floors by early Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Reno. A quick burst of snow is possible along the cold front, making for a potentially slick and icy commute Monday morning.

Inside slider storms like this typically have limited moisture and sporadic areas of accumulating snow. It is very challenging to forecast what areas will see accumulating snow, but the potential for 0 to 1/2 inch of snow exists, including the greater Reno-Sparks-Carson City metro areas. At present time, the most likely
area for higher snowfall amounts up to 2 inches is between Interstate 80 and Hawthorne in west-central Nevada. This could create travel impacts around Lovelock and Fallon and along Highways 95 and 50, and to a lesser extent Interstate 80.

As the system continues south Monday afternoon and Monday night, light snow becomes more likely for areas south of Highway 50. For Monday night, the most likely area for accumulations would be in Mono County where upslope flow may bring several inches of new snow.

The forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Today - Snow after 4pm. Temperature falling to around 37 by 5pm. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight - Snow, mainly before 10pm. Low around 22. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday - Snow showers, mainly before 4pm. High near 32. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Monday Night - Isolated snow showers before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday - Sunny, with a high near 39. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 17.

Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 48.

Wednesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 21.

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 51.

Thursday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 23.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 49.

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

Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 49.