Temperatures into the 70s bringing more melting snow, flood warnings

Submitted by paula on Sun, 05/21/2017 - 9:14am

Warming temperatures will accelerate snowpack melt across the Sierra this weekend and the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for California and western Nevada, including the following areas: In California, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties, and Mono County. In western Nevada: Greater Lake Tahoe Area and Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area.

Flows on small creeks and streams will rise through at least early next week. Daily peak flows on small creeks and streams typically occur during the evening
and overnight hours.

Creeks and streams will run fast and very cold, bringing the risk of hypothermia for those without protective gear. Flood water will likely inundate pasture land, some campgrounds, cover hiking and biking trails and roads leading into the high country.

The Upper Truckee River through South Lake Tahoe is currently flowing at 713 cubic feet per second. The mean for May 21 is 261 cubic feet per second and the record based on 42 years of gathering the figures was 917 in 2005. Depth is currently 8 feet where the gauge is, near the Highway 50 bridge in South Lake Tahoe.

The forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today - Sunny, with a high near 76. East wind around 5 mph.

Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the evening.

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the
afternoon.

Monday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Calm wind.

Tuesday - A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night - A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 74.

Wednesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 66.

Thursday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 66.

Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 35.

Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 66.