Red flag warnings in place for Lake Tahoe; Fire weather concerns

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Lake Tahoe area from 2:00 p.m. Wednesday to 8:00 p.m. Thursday.

Thunderstorms with potentially dangerous lightening strikes are forecast along with heavy rain and possible flash flooding.

A negatively tilted trough is setting the stage for a widespread outbreak of thunderstorms this afternoon through Thursday from the northern Sierra and far western Nevada to the Oregon border.

The main threat is cloud to ground lightning strikes that could spark new wildfires in dry areas of vegetation. Nocturnal thunderstorms Wednesday night and early Thursday morning may pose a significant risk of fires in the Sierra and Carson City area as they will tend to produce less rainfall.

Updated South Lake Tahoe forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Today - Isolated showers, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Widespread haze after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tonight - Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Widespread haze. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday - A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Widespread haze. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Widespread haze before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday - A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night - A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Saturday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Sunday - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Sunday Night - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Monday - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

Monday Night - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Tuesday - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.