Wind advisory and 20% chance of snow in Lake Tahoe Saturday

A quick moving, weak weather system will affect the area Friday night through Saturday morning bringing very light snowfall across the region. The inversions we've seen in the Reno-Tahoe area are likely to strengthen again early next week before a cold front moves through in the middle of next week and breaks them down.

A weak ridge will be in place early next week which will again provide dry conditions, light winds, and the valley inversions. However, models do continue to show a potential for a more potent slider type system on Wednesday.

A strong cold front along with strong winds look to accompany the slider through the northern Sierra and western Nevada on Wednesday. The cold airmass behind the front should lower snow levels to all valley floors by Wednesday afternoon with accumulating snowfall possible. Models show good agreement in pushing this system through the area, but as typical with slider systems, the uncertainty will be with timing and intensity. Nonetheless, this system has been showing good instability and frontal forcing along with more moisture when compared to this weekend`s system so travel impacts could be a bit more widespread. This system is another fast mover and should aid in limiting precipitation totals.

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Lake Wind Advisory for Lake Tahoe and will be in effect from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday.

* Winds: East to Northeast 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* Wave Heights: 1 to 3 feet with highest waves on western shores.

* Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve.he region. Even though accumulations will be very low, it will be enough to cause travel disruptions with icy and slick road conditions.

The forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Tonight - Isolated snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday - Isolated snow showers before 10am. Sunny, with a high near 36. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 20. East wind around 10 mph.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 40. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 21. East wind around 5 mph.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Tuesday Night - A chance of showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Wednesday - A chance of rain and snow showers before 10am, then a chance of snow
showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy.

Wednesday Night - A slight chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. Blustery.

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 37.

Thursday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 18.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 45.