South Lake Tahoe forecast: Big changes ahead

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Even though the 70s have been great temperatures for the past few weeks, it was inevitable that the weather patterns would change just as daylight saving time did. A strong cold front will push through the Sierra and western Nevada on Friday bringing gusty winds, much colder temperatures, and chances for rain and snow showers, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). This storm does appear to herald in a pattern that may possibly stick around through much of November with the potential for lingering cold temperatures and maybe even additional chances for rain and snow.

From the NWS Reno:
WINDS: Winds will increase significantly on Friday with a quick burst of winds that may produce areas of blowing dust, choppy lake conditions, as well as a brief period of fire weather concerns.

COLD: Afternoon temperatures will drop significantly from Friday to Saturday, with western Nevada and Sierra valleys in the mid 40s/50s. Overnight lows will drop back below freezing for many areas as well. If you turned your sprinklers back on, now is the time to call it for the season since the cold will linger on into the coming weeks.

PRECIPITATION: While rain and snow chances are still pretty low, the simulations have trended a touch wetter each day, especially for the Sierra. If you haven`t put that winter travel kit in your car, then now is the time to make it happen. It`s that time of the year where conditions can rapidly change along the Sierra passes, so being in tune with all the weather updates as well as Caltrans and NDOT will save you a lot of headaches.

The South Lake Tahoe forecast from NWS Reno:

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Monday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Tuesday - Sunny, with a high near 69. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 69. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 71.

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

Friday - A slight chance of rain after 10am. Snow level 8000 feet lowering to 7200
feet in the afternoon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Friday Night - A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Saturday Night - A slight chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 41.