By Kathryn Reed

The greater Lake Tahoe area is covered in snow this Earth Day.

“It will be beautiful conditions this weekend,” said Jessica Kielhorn, meteorologist technician with the National Weather Service in Reno.

First tracks of a different kind. Photo/Kathryn Reed

But before the sun arrives, people in the basin, Reno and the Carson Valley will have to endure a bit of snow and freezing temperatures.

In the 7am hour snow is expected to get heavier. Visibility will be about 2 miles. By noon the snow is expected to become shower conditions, with that lasting to about 5pm.

Overnight about 6 inches fell in South Lake Tahoe, 5-7 inches at Squaw Valley and 8 inches at Incline Village.

Chain and 4-wheel drive requirements are the norm on the roads in the area. It’s slushy and mucky out there.

With many of the ski resorts in the Tahoe area closed, more people will be venturing into the backcountry. A moderate warning has been issued by the Sierra Avalanche Center.

The highs today will be in the upper 30s, Friday in the upper 50s and Saturday-Sunday it will be in the low 60s.

But the weekend’s nice weather will not last. The Weather Service is calling for showers to return Monday, with most of the snow on Tuesday above 6,900 feet.