Round two to start dropping snow Wednesday night in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is enjoying a sunny and clear day Tuesday as the next storm starts to brew in the northwest. Up to 20 inches of snow fell at Lake Tahoe area ski resorts, but with what is expected latter in the week that will be nothing.

Very heavy snowfall accumulations are forecast for the foothills and mountains of Northern California, the heaviest snow expected to begin Wednesday night with major travel delays possible by Thursday. This system will be the strongest storm this winter, with snow to be measured in feet, not inches.

A Winter storm Watch is in effect for Lake Tahoe, the Sierra and Northern Nevada through Saturday morning.

Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 feet in the High Sierra above 7000 feet, with a couple feet of snow around the 6000 ft elevation, including Lake Tahoe. Up to a foot will be possible for lower elevations in northeastern California.

Travel could be very difficult to impossible during this storm, according to the National Weather Service in Reno (NWS). Damage to trees and power lines is possible. Significant reductions in visibility are possible.

Take precautions.

The forecast from NWS Reno:

Thursday Afternoon - Sunny, with a high near 30. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Tonight - Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday - A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday Night - A chance of snow showers before 10pm, then snow likely after 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Thursday - Snow. High near 35. Breezy, with a southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible.

Thursday Night - Snow. Low around 18. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches possible.

Friday - Snow. High near 24. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Friday Night - Snow. Cloudy, with a low around 16.

Saturday - Snow likely before 10am, then snow showers likely after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28.

Saturday Night - A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10.

Sunday - A slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 34.

Sunday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 11.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.