The lake level may finally be kissed with measurable snow after weeks of Mother Nature flirting with winter.

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a winter storm watch for the greater Lake Tahoe area for the 24-hour period starting Thursday afternoon.

The snow level is expected to drop to 4,500 feet, where up to 6 inches of snow is possible. Between 6 and 12 inches is expected above 6,500 feet, and 1 to 2 feet above that elevation.

The wind will be picking ufp, with ridge gusts potentially topping 100 mph.

The weather system will likely start with rain at the lake.

In addition to the moisture, the temperature will drop significantly. Thursday’s high is expected to be 51 degrees in South Lake Tahoe, while Friday’s could be 29 degrees. Overnight lows will dip into the teens.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report