Hot & smoky week ahead in South Lake Tahoe, with chance of thunderstorms

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Three main topics in the weather forecast for South Lake Tahoe this week: It will be hot, there will be smoke from the Oak Fire, and there is an increasing chance for thunderstorms.

It will stay in the high-80s this week at Lake Tahoe. Stay hydrated and avoid strenuous outdoor activities if sensitive to heat.

Smoke lofted by the Oak Fire in Mariposa County will continue to creep across the Sierra Front and into western Nevada as afternoon southwest winds kick in and transport smoke particulates across the crest. Expect continued smoke impacts and degraded air quality particularly overnight and into the

early morning hours as smoke settles into the valleys. Areas across the Tahoe Basin, Carson Valley, and eastern Sierra could see these cycles of degraded air quality with improvement by the afternoon as valley inversions break, followed by additional smoke late afternoon and evening. The duration of the smoke impacts will be dependent on the intensity and activity of the fire throughout the week. For the latest air quality information please visit www.airnow.gov, www.fire.airnow.gov, or https://map.purpleair.com/.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno, an increasing moist southerly flow, coupled with the continued hot conditions will increase the potential for isolated thunderstorms as early as Monday across parts of Mono and Mineral counties. Most thunderstorms developing in the late afternoon and early evening will be high based with the potential to produce strong outflows with gusts to 50-60 mph at the surface. The thunderstorm potential will continue to expand northward into portions of the Tahoe Basin and the Sierra Front by Tuesday and possibly make a repeat performance Wednesday as well. Thunderstorm chances will continue from the latter half of next week into next weekend. Strong/gusty outflows, dry lightning strikes, and isolated areas of heavy rainfall will be possible.

The weekly NWS Reno forecast for South Lake Tahoe:

Monday - Widespread haze after 11am. Areas of smoke before 11am. Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Tuesday - A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Widespread haze before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday - A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

ThursdaySunny, with a high near 86.

Thursday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 87.

Friday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Saturday - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Saturday Night - A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.