Strong thunderstorm develops over Lake Tahoe

A strong thunderstorm has moved into the Lake Tahoe area Sunday afternoon producing thunder and lightning strikes, according to a weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service in Reno.

Boaters and swimmer on or near Lake Tahoe should get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle, the weather service urges.

The storm was moving northward and could cause dangerous cloud to ground lightning and winds of 40 mph. The affected areas are South Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Cove and Glenbrook.

A Red Flag warning is also underway through 3 a.m. Monday.

High pressure has moved into the Sierra as a low pressure system has moved north from southern California. This has caused instability to increase over the Sierra, northeast California and western Nevada with thunderstorms.

The main threats from high based thunderstorms are strong to severe outflow winds of 60 mph or more and dangerous lightning.

Outflows with hot and dry surface conditions can travel a long distance from a thunderstorm, which means you can experience strong winds even if thunderstorms develop over 20 miles away from your location, according to the weather service. Outflow winds can also create areas of blowing dust with low visibility.

Strong winds and lightning from thunderstorms pose an immediate danger to boaters. If you are out on the lake when thunderstorms develop, return to shore as soon as possible. Outflow winds can rapidly increase wave heights to over 3 feet, which can capsize small boats.