Ready for a drop in temperatures and some snow?

A strong, but quick, cold front is headed to Lake Tahoe on Tuesday bringing with it high winds and some snow before it heads out Wednesday evening.

The National Weather Service has issued a lake wind advisory from 10:00 a.m. Tuesday through 4:00 a.m. Wednesday. Winds will be increasing during the day Tuesday, with wind gusts growing from 15 to 25 mph in the morning to gusts of 45 mph by late in the afternoon afternoon and peaking to 50 mph as the storm enters the basin.

Waves on Lake Tahoe will be 2 to 4 feet, with the highest ones on the east and north shores. Small boats, including kayaks and paddle boards, will be prone to capsizing and should remain off the lake until conditions improve.

The fast moving upper low will push the strong cold front.

Rain and higher elevation snow will develop along the front Tuesday evening, with snow levels falling quickly according to the National Weather Service. Most valley floors will see snow by Wednesday morning.

The current simulations show light snow accumulations, with 2 to 5 inches above 6500 feet, and up to 2 inches at lake level. Expect slick roads Tuesday night over the passes, then through the basin by dawn Wednesday. In the valley down to 5500 feet, accumulations, if any, will be short lived.

A chance for rain and snow will be back at the lake over the weekend.

Forecast from National Weather Service for South Lake Tahoe:

Monday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday - Showers after 4pm. High near 57. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday Night - Rain showers before 10pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 10pm and 1am, then snow showers likely after 1am. Low around 33. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday - Snow showers likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday Night - A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 37.

Thursday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Friday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.

Friday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Saturday - A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Breezy.

Saturday Night - A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Sunday - A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.

Sunday Night - A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around
34.

Monday - A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51.