Small weather systems bring chance of snow to Lake Tahoe for last week of 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a few chances for precipitation as we wrap up 2020 and head into 2021, but at this point in time the systems on the horizon aren't looking like big snow makers.

As one system leaves Monday afternoon there will be a break in snow/rain activity on Tuesday, the next weather system is projected to arrive Wednesday evening and exit quickly by Thursday morning. While the more likely scenario favors light
snow (up to 2") for the Sierra and northeast California/far northwest Nevada it could cause some morning commute issues.

The pattern looks to remain active into the start of 2021, with a couple of waves arriving by next weekend. The first wave is currently looking to be relatively modest and on the cold side for the Friday night-Saturday morning time frame. The second wave arriving around Sunday may be stronger with increased chances for
a period of gusty winds, more substantial precipitation amounts due to a tap in the atmospheric river moisture. Another round of mountain snow/valley rain and gusty winds could arrive around January 5-6. While there are many details to be resolved with these systems with timing, track and intensity, the best course of action is to be prepared for potential winter travel conditions (typical hazards for January), especially in the Sierra and northeast California, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Weekly forecast from NWS Reno:

Monday - A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday Night - Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 12. East wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday - Sunny, with a high near 43. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 13. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday - Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

Wednesday Night - A chance of snow, mainly between 10pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Thursday - A slight chance of snow before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

Thursday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 20.

New Year's Day - Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

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

Saturday - A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Saturday Night - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Sunday - A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Breezy.