Incoming storm could leave the Lake Tahoe Basin with 17" - 31" of fresh snow

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Storm Warning to be in effect from 10 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday. Heavy snow is expected in the greater Lake Tahoe area and Mono County.

Snow accumulations 3 to 5 feet above 7000 feet along the Sierra crest. Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 feet below 7000 feet, except 1 to 4 inches for areas below 5500 feet in Mono County.

Winds are forecast to be gusting as high as 85 mph along Sierra ridges, with gusts in valleys 30 to 45 mph. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph along wind-prone areas of US-395 in Mono County.

Travel could become difficult to impossible with snowfall rates of up to 3 inches per hour possible at times. Snow will continue to intensify through the day Sunday, with snow levels between 6000 to 6500 feet.

The Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee has issued a Backcountry Avalanche Watch for the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains between Yuba Pass (Hwy 49) on the north and Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4) including the Lake Tahoe Basin Periods of HIGH avalanche danger is expected to occur in the backcountry from Sunday into early Tuesday morning.

The forecasts from NWS Reno for South Lake Tahoe:

Saturday Night - A slight chance of snow showers before 10 pm, then a chance of snow after 10 pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. East wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches is possible.

Sunday - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 37. Breezy, with a southeast wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 9 to 13 inches is possible.

Sunday Night - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 24. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches is possible.

Monday - Snow. High near 37. South wind around 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.
Monday NightSnow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Tuesday - Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.

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