The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a flash flood watch for the Lake Tahoe Basin, Truckee, Carson City, Minden and the foothills west of Reno from 4am-10pm Saturday.

An atmospheric river will bring a burst of heavy precipitation across the region. Snow levels will be at about 8,000 feet.

Forecasters say the Truckee River along Highway 89 could flood by late morning Dec. 10. Traffic in that area and over mountain passes will be impacted by the heavy moisture.

“Sierra locations can expect about 1 to 4 inches of liquid equivalent while the Sierra Front could see 0.25 to 1 inch, and 0.1 to 0.5 in the basin and range,” according to the NWS. 

The greatest threat for flooding is near creeks and streams, with mudslides possible on burn scars.

Rain and snow are in the forecast for much of next week.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report