Forecast for Squaw Valley at 7,385'

A weak storm system will bring gusty winds across the eastern Sierra into western Nevada on Tuesday. Wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph are expected across the Tahoe Basin and along the US-395 and I-580 corridor from eastern Lassen County southward to northern Mono County. A short period of stronger wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph are possible along the I-580/US-395 corridor between south Reno and Washoe Valley Tuesday afternoon. For the Sierra ridges, gusts to 80 mph are expected. These winds may produce travel restrictions for high profile vehicles, along with rough lake conditions and areas of turbulence for aviation. In addition, light snowfall could produce travel impacts for higher elevation roads and passes above 5000 feet in northeast California Tuesday morning, then spreading south to the main Sierra passes west of Lake Tahoe Tuesday afternoon and evening. Snowfall totals of 2 to 5 inches are possible for Donner Summit, Echo Pass, Fredonyer Summit, CA-44 west of Susanville, and Cedar Pass. Lighter snowfall up to 2 inches is possible for the Lake Tahoe basin, Mt. Rose Summit, the Surprise Valley, and near the Sierra crest in Alpine and Mono counties. Across western Nevada, most areas will be shadowed out of rain and snow, except far northern Washoe County near the Oregon border where a period of rain or a rain and snow mix is likely Tuesday afternoon and evening.

* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected. Waves 2 to 4 feet. * WHERE...Lake Tahoe. Highest waves from mid lake to northeast shores. * WHEN...From 4 AM to 10 PM PST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve.

There will be potential travel impacts across northern Sierra passes on Tuesday with a few inches of snowfall expected as a weaker end winter storm arrives. Snow levels on Tuesday will generally remain between 5500-6000 feet with snowfall accumulations of 2-5 inches possible on northern Sierra passes (Donner Summit, Echo Summit, Carson Pass) with about 1-2 inches possible for Fredonyer, Brockway, Mt Rose, and ridges across Mono County. Accumulations near Lake Tahoe level and Mammoth Lakes look generally less than an inch. Initial snow onset Tuesday across western Lassen county will be around 4-6am, then across the Tahoe Basin about 8-10am with the best potential mid-Tuesday afternoon into the early evening. Across western Nevada, this system will largely be shadowed out with the exception of far northern Washoe County near the Oregon border where up to a tenth of an inch of rainfall is possible. This will be more of a wind maker for the lower valleys with wind gusts of 35-45 mph across the Tahoe Basin and along the US-395 and I-580 corridor from Walker northward. Winds may result in hazardous boating conditions across area lakes and possible travel restrictions for high profile vehicles where cross winds are present.