Nov. 3, 2011     

The storm door has opened, and wintry weather is on its way. But we won't see enough snow this weekend to make decent skiing and riding a reality yet.

The first system is heading our way this afternoon and should bring snow to the entire region by tonight. But this system is starved for moisture -- it will probably tap into less than half an inch of water. Even with cold temperatures and a favorable trajectory for the storm as it hits the western slope, that still translates into maybe 6 inches of snow at the higher elevations around Tahoe.

Most of that snow will fall in a few hours this evening, so when it does come, things could get a little hairy for folks trying to drive across the mountain passes. Snow levels should drop down to below 5000 feet tonight, but the lower elevations will see little more than a dusting.

By Friday we will be on the back side of this system, with some isolated snow showers and an inch or two more snow possible in some locations.

Things will calm down Friday afternoon into Saturday before another modest storm comes our way. This one should cross the Sierra overnight on Saturday and early Sunday morning, bringing another few inches of snow to the higher elevations. So together, the two storms have the potential to give us maybe 10 inches above 7000 feet. Not much, but a start.

After another lull in the action, another storm is possible by the middle of next week.