Winter Storm Warning in effect for Lake Tahoe Wednesday-Friday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An atmospheric river is heading to the California coast, and even though much of the precipitation is going south and north, Lake Tahoe should see some of its effects. After a few days of warm weather, a potent winter storm will bring windy and colder conditions with periods of heavy snow to the Sierra and higher elevations of northeast California, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. Winds will pick up by late Wednesday morning, then travel conditions will begin to worsen late Wednesday afternoon and evening, with the most widespread winter travel impacts likely from Wednesday evening through much of Thursday.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Friday.

Heavy snow is expected. Snow accumulations 10 to 20 inches above 7000 feet, with 20 to 30 inches near the Sierra crest. Below 7000 feet, 5 to 10 inches are expected, except up to 16 inches west of CA-89. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph, with gusts around 100 mph for Sierra ridges. Wave heights 2 to 4 feet on Lake Tahoe Wednesday and Wednesday night.

Snow at lake level is expected to be 3" - 6" over the three days.

The next atmospheric river will arrive on Sunday. This two-day storm is expected to have lower snow levels than the one arriving Wednesday and will be packing more of a punch.

The forecast from NWS Reno for South Lake Tahoe:

Wednesday - Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. Snow level 6700 feet. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday Night - Rain and snow likely before 7pm, then snow likely between 7pm and 10pm, then rain and snow after 10pm. Snow level 6300 feet. Low around 26. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Thursday - Snow. High near 38. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night - Snow likely before 10pm, then snow showers likely after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday - Snow showers, mainly before 4pm. High near 33. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday Night - A 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday - A chance of snow showers, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 33.

Saturday Night - A chance of snow showers before 10pm, then a chance of snow after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Sunday - Snow likely, mainly after 4pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Partly sunny, with a high near 36.

Sunday Night - Snow likely. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.

Monday - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36.

Monday Night - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.
TuesdaySnow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.