Tahoe Region Weather:  Sunday is your window to cross the Sierra before 8 to 13 inches of snow hits Echo and Donner summits Wednesday

Dry weather through Sunday is drivers’ best window to cross the Sierra, the National Weather Service’s Reno office says.  A fast storm follows Sunday night, and a colder, stronger one arrives Wednesday.

Reno forecasters expect 2 to 4 inches or less at Echo and Donner summits from the first storm and 1 to 2 inches in the Tahoe Basin, so plan on winter driving Monday morning.  The Sacramento office puts the chance of at least 12 inches above 6,000 feet from Wednesday through Thursday night at 70% to 90%.

Five-day snowfall forecast

• Echo Summit area (Highway 50):  3 to 5 inches Sunday night, 2 to 4 Monday, 1 to 3 Tuesday night, 9 to 13 Wednesday.
• Donner Summit (Interstate 80):  under half an inch Sunday, 3 to 5 Sunday night, about 1 Monday, 1 to 3 Tuesday night, 8 to 12 Wednesday.
• Truckee:  about 1 inch Sunday night, under 1 Monday, 1 to 2 Tuesday night, 3 to 7 Wednesday.
• South Lake Tahoe:  under 1 inch each Sunday night, Monday and Tuesday night, then 3 to 5 Wednesday.
• Saturday:  dry at all four spots.  More snow is forecast Wednesday night and Thursday.

No winter storm watch or warning was in effect for Tahoe Saturday morning.  Check chain controls on Caltrans QuickMap or call 511.

Source:  National Weather Service Reno forecast discussion and point forecasts.