Storm from the Pacific to bring snow and rain to Lake Tahoe

A pattern change begins today as the Pacific storm track continues to slip southward. Areas north of the Sacramento region should see some light precipitation Thursday with increasing rain and mountain snow on Friday. By Friday night and Saturday, all of northern California will be shifting into a wetter pattern with rain or mountain snow expected during parts of every day through at least Christmas day next Friday.

In the graphic in this story, South Tahoe Now created a comparison of the last four years on December 16 from NASA images of the snowpack.

Forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today - A slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday - A slight chance of rain and snow after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.

Friday Night - A slight chance of rain and snow before 10pm, then snow. Low around 29. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Saturday - Snow. High near 37. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night - A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday - A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday Night - Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Breezy.

Monday - Rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 42. Windy.

Monday Night - Rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 34. Breezy.

Tuesday - Rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 42.

Tuesday Night - now likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Wednesday - Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.