Tahoe area gets snow but temps will climb today

Another storm is riding the coattails of Tuesday's snowfall, but weather service forecasters predict warmer temperatures and higher snow levels in the Tahoe Basin through today.

Although snow levels will start at 6,000 feet when the brunt of the storm system hits today, forecasters anticipate a high in the mid-40s, said Jessica Keilhorn, National Weather Service meteorologist technician.

Temperatures will continue to rise Thursday, along with the snow level. Expect highs in the mid-50s at Lake Tahoe, with 6 to 12 inches of accumulation over 7,000 feet. In the Lake Tahoe Basin, most of the predicted precipitation will fall as rain.

Windy conditions will continue as the temperatures increase. Keilhorn said southwest winds today will reach 30-40 mph, with gusts at 70 mph at the ridgetops. On Thursday, the forecast is for partly cloudy skies with winds tapering down as the storm dissipates.

Chain controls Tuesday were lifted as warmer temperatures helped clear local highways.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Nevada and California departments of transportation were reporting Interstate 80 and Highway 50 open with no controls. In the Lake Tahoe Basin, chains were required on State Route 28 and D. L. Bliss State Park. Chain controls were in effect for Highway 88 from Silver Lake to Hamm's Station and on the California side of Highway 395 south of Topaz.

Local ski resorts reported healthy snowfall Tuesday, adding to a packed base from two other early season storms.

According to Heavenly snow reports, the resort received 12 inches Tuesday. It plans to open Stagecoach Lodge on the Nevada side on Friday and Boulder Lodge on Dec. 17.

Kirkwood reported 17-19 inches, while Sierra-at-Tahoe reported 13 inches of new snow.