Tahoe braces for week of snow

By Kathryn Reed

The thermometer may say 30 something, but don’t be surprised if it feels like it’s in the teens in Lake Tahoe. Such are the hazards of a wind chill.

Winds were picking up in the basin late this morning as the next storm is slated to roll in this afternoon.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 10 tonight. The National Weather Service has issued a storm watch for all of Wednesday.

Up to 10 inches of white stuff could accumulate at the lake with the next storm, while 16 inches may drop above 7,000 feet. The snow level is expected to drop to 5,000 feet.

More than 9 inches fell at the lake in the last 24 hours.

Skiing at Sierra-at-Tahoe was superb on Martin Luther King Jr. day because of the fresh powder and lack of people on the slopes.

The recent snow should mean Heavenly Mountain Resort will be able to turn off its snowmaking equipment, which was still on at the Stagecoach area last week.

Resorts that are prone to wind holds could see many chairs sitting idle this week as storm after storm rolls in.

Chains or 4-wheel drive will likely be mandatory on mountain passes much of the week.

The sun may return Saturday.