Wind advisory up before snow hits the Sierra

Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/10/2018 - 4:03pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A couple of fast-moving systems will produce gusty winds and periods of relatively light rain and snow through Thursday in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Much colder temperatures are expected on Thursday, then dry weather with a warming trend returns for Friday and Saturday. A system will bring wetter conditions starting Sunday, with colder conditions returning for Monday and Tuesday.

A lake wind advisory is in place until Thursday, April 12 at 5:00 a.m. Winds will be from the southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph. There will be a period Tuesday night with lower winds. Winds to west 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph are expected by later Wednesday evening. Wave heights will be from 2 to 4 feet, with the highest waves from mid-lake to the north and east shores.

If you have any outdoor plans this weekend, it would be a wise idea to do them on Saturday as the region will be under a shortwave ridge with a mostly clear sky and light winds according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. The temperatures will also be favorable forecast to be slightly above average for this time of

year with highs likely in the mid to upper 50`s for the Sierra and upper 60`s for the valleys.

Another spring storm is looking likely to affect the region Sunday through Monday night. Low pressure begins to head in our direction from the northwest by Sunday morning flattening out the ridge. Southwest winds start to pick up along with an increase in cloud cover ahead of a trough with its associated cold front. Next week, snow levels start out in the 6000-6500 ft range dropping to valley floors as the front makes its way through the region. Its still early to estimate impact.

This week's forecast from NWS in Reno:

This Afternoon - Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight - Scattered showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday - Scattered showers between 11am and 5pm, then rain after 5pm. High near 49. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Wednesday Night - Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 8pm. Low around 23. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Thursday - A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday Night - A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 49.

Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 24.

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Saturday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Sunday - A slight chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Breezy.

Sunday Night - Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Windy.

Monday - A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 39.