TRUCKEE, Calif. — Winter has officially clocked in around Tahoe. The region’s first significant storm has delivered snow down to lake level and a fresh coat of white across the ski resorts. And if one storm wasn’t enough to get the season started, there’s plenty more in the forecast.

The Sierra will get a brief break from winter weather this weekend before another round of snow arrives Sunday night, followed by a potentially larger and colder storm that could bring feet of snow and difficult travel conditions by midweek.

The first storm is clearing the region Saturday, with conditions expected to improve throughout the day. Open Snow and National Weather Forecasters agree that roads should gradually clear, making Sunday morning the best window for travel across the Sierra before the next system moves in.

According to OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto, a fast-moving storm is expected to arrive late Sunday into Monday, bringing another round of snowfall to the Sierra.

Snow levels will initially hover between 7,000- and 8,000-feet Sunday night before dropping to around 5,000 to 7,000 feet by Monday, with lower levels across the northern Sierra, according to the National Weather Service. By Monday night, snow levels could fall to 5,000 to 5,500 feet.

The Tahoe Basin could see 1 to 2 inches of new snow, while Donner and Echo passes may receive 2 to 4 inches or less. Carson Pass has a 75% to 95% chance of receiving up to 6 inches, according to the NWS.

Drivers should prepare for winter driving conditions Monday morning, particularly over mountain passes, with another round of chain controls and slower travel expected. The system should move out by Monday night.

But the brief break may not last long.

Allegretto expects a larger, colder storm to move into the region Wednesday and continue through Thursday, potentially bringing significantly more snow and lower snow levels.

According to Allegretto, snow levels could drop as low as 3,000 feet by Thursday, with 1 to 3 feet of snow possible across the Sierra. The storm could bring widespread chain controls and slow, difficult travel across mountain passes, with conditions potentially beginning to improve later Thursday.

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