rain

The National Weather Service is calling for widespread thunderstorms throughout the Sierra and western Nevada for the next several days. On Thursday, June 4 there is an 80% chance of rain in South Lake Tahoe with a rainfall total of .16 inch.

Chances of rain and thunderstorms continue through the weekend and into next week. On Friday, rainfall total of .14" is forecast, .23" on Saturday and a trace on Sunday.

The best chances for strong thunderstorms will be in and along the Sierra. Storms may start early in the morning with the strongest storms expected during the early afternoon.

Climate experts say El Nino is growing stronger and could bring drought-busting wet weather to California this year. While the ocean condition is nearly guaranteed, rainfall doesn’t always follow the sea temperature increase.

On Thursday, scientists at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) said chances for El Nino this summer are close to 100 percent, with simulations suggesting by December, it could exceed the devastating 1997-1998 event that brought widespread flooding and hurricane-force winds to most of California.

It has been a wet May in South Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area, but, unfortunately, it has made little impact on the long term drought.

Precipitation has been just above normal for the month of May, but the year-to-date figures are still falling shy of average.

On the map pictured here, the purple areas are now 200%-800% above average.

The forecast through Memorial Day from the National Weather Service shows a chance of rain every day:

The next low pressure system will move into California tomorrow, bringing showers and high elevation snow to the Sierra and western Nevada through Monday according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

Up to 6 inches of snow may accumulate above 8,000 feet, with wet roads for those traveling over I-80 and US-50. Snow could impact travel over the Mt Rose Highway and the higher passes in Alpine and Mono Counties.

More rain is on tap for the valleys with total rainfall amounts up to 0.50 inch. Could be enough rain to cut back on watering your lawn this week.

There is more snow in the forecast for the Sierra for elevations above 7,000 ft Thursday through Friday.

The National Weather Service in Reno says to expect winter driving conditions and possible chain controls over Sierra passes, especially at night or during heavier snow showers. Higher elevation routes including Sonora, Tioga, Ebbetts and Monitor passes may be closed later this week and possibly into the weekend.

The date was May 15, 2011. All eyes of the bicycle racing world were on South Lake Tahoe as our mountain resort town hosted one of the top cycling events in the world. Anticipation and excitement were evident throughout the area as plans came into place with the amazing groups of volunteers that the South Shore is known for.

In typical South Lake Tahoe fashion, Mother Nature has decided to visit the local Earth Day celebration on Saturday. While sunshine may be preferred by some, needed moisture will be making a visit.

Don't let a forecast of rain or snow keep you from Earth Day 2015 though. As seen in the video in this story, snow fell just prior to last year's event too.

The Food Bank of El Dorado County will be in South Lake Tahoe with its Mobile Food Pantry on Wednesday, April 22nd from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the American Legion Hall to distribute emergency supplemental groceries to those who need it most.

It is always a treat for me to see people in our community who display the American flag at their business and/or at home. Over the years this always reminds me of our Nation, our Constitution, and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Thanks to all of your readers who do so. While we are not a perfect Nation, government or people, our form of representative government gives us the greatest ability to make changes that improves the life, opportunities, and liberties of our citizens and all those who live here.

Right on the heels of Wednesday's historic and meager snowpack measurement, the National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting a chance of snow Sunday, Monday and Tuesday next week. A storm system will drop southeast from the Gulf of Alaska, bringing with it some valley rain and mountain snow Sunday into Tuesday

While the forecast isn't for any significant or measurable snowfall, both Nevada and California can use whatever they can get. Accuweather.com is calling for less than an inch total while NWS has higher hopes.

Here is the NWS forecast for South Lake Tahoe at lake level:

In the summer of 2013, I walked a demanding 500 miles and I'm damn proud of it.

After working 60-80 hour weeks for nine months, living in a crowded city, and becoming one of the thousands of tired, nerve-shaken souls John Muir spoke about, I realized the famous naturalist was right when he said, "going to the mountains is going home."

Aided by rainfall, firefighters were taking control of a forest fire that destroyed about 40 homes in the Eastern Sierra near Mammoth Mountain.

Crews had the blaze about 65% contained by Sunday, nearly two days after a blaze whipped by winds tore into the towns of Swall Meadows and Paradise, with about 250 inhabitants. The towns are about 25 miles southeast of the Mammoth Mountain ski resort, near U.S. Highway 395.

The main problem now is more than four dozen downed power lines and damaged trees, making conditions too hazardous to lift mandatory evacuation orders in the area.

Overnight, South Lake Tahoe experienced wind gusts up to 54 mph and steady winds at 30 mph and more of the same is expected during the day Friday.

Rains should start after 11 a.m. according to the National Weather Service. They are calling for snow on Monday.

Friday's forecast:
Rain likely, mainly after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Windy, with a southwest wind around 35 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday Night:

Lake Tahoe is in need of rain or snow and there is only a slight chance of either in the next week.

The photos shown here were taken on January 31, 2015 on the North Shore looking in at the Tahoe City dam.

With an average daily temperature of 43 degrees in January, South Lake Tahoe has been above that for all but three days during the month. Temperatures were at or above 50 degrees on 21 of the 31 days of the month.

Here is the forecast for South Lake Tahoe from the National Weather Service:

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

When reflecting over the past year it's hard to remember all that happened in one's life, unless you're good at keeping a journal and you have time to re-read it.

As I look back at what happened in South Lake Tahoe over the last 365 days, a lot happened, but what may seem to be a top story to me may not seem as important to a reader.

I reviewed our analytics, the numbers that are kept to show how many people read South Tahoe Now stories at any given point, and drew from those numbers to come up with the "South Lake Tahoe's Top Stories of 2014."

Memories were shared all day Thursday in South Lake Tahoe, from white ribbons and thoughts shared on banners to an evening candlelight vigil.

It marks one week since 14-year old Dejon Smith went missing after spending time with friends during a storm with high winds and rain. His body was found under a fallen tree two days later.

While it won't be called the storm of the century, a wet and cold system is moving through Northern California and Northern Nevada this week, bringing with it snow and rain.

Here is the forecast from the National Weather Service:

Monday: 60% chance of snow during the day, 70% at night, with lake level accumulations of 2" to 6" expected. A high of 39 and a low of 29. Winds at 5 mph.

Tuesday: 50% chance of snow during the day, 80% at night, with lake level accumulations of 2" to 4" expected. A high of 40 and a low of 26. Winds at 5 mph.

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard and high wind warning along with flood watch starting at 10 p.m. on Wednesday night.

"Significant snowfall" is expected to impact the Sierra with one to three feet of snow possible above 7,000 feet with up to 12 inches down to 6,000 feet. The storm is expected to have snow levels dropping to 5,000 feet Thursday night. The Weather Service says heavier precipitation bands may locally lower snow levels to lake level during the day on Thursday.

Snow is forecast to continue through Friday afternoon.

A new storm is headed to the California coast Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday. It will bring with it valley rain and mountain snow.

According to a report by the National Weather Service in Reno, several feet of snow is possible in the Sierra above 7,000 feet with significant travel impacts possible over Sierra passes.

There is more uncertainty below 7,000 feet due to weather forecast model snow level variations, so a light accumulation down to 6,000 feet is not out of the question. All of their forecasts report little to no snow at lake level.

Light snow, rain, wind, clouds and rainbows were all part of the weather day Saturday in South Lake Tahoe. The weather front is on it's way out, leaving a week of sunny and clear skies and mild temperatures.

Approximately .44" of rain fell at lake level.

The week's forecast according to weather.gov:

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. West wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the morning. Overnight, mostly clear, with a low around 21. East wind around 5 mph.

There are several safe trick or treat events going on around the South Shore on Halloween as well as thousands of homes to visit along city streets. Rain is expected as the sun sets so dress warm, stay dry, be safe and have fun!

Halloween Cove returns to the Beach Retreat & Lodge located at 3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Kids will go from room to room getting treats, enjoy face painting, games, photos and music. Head for the courtyard of the hotel. It goes from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and it's free.

South Tahoe High School has a full day of Halloween activities on Halloween, from costumers during the school day through the final home football game of the season to late night ice skating.

During the School Day

Heavenly Mountain Resort is aiming for a November 21 opening day and a dusting of snow on their upper mountain built anticipation for the winter season.

The 10 day forecast shows a wet system entering the Tahoe basin on Saturday, providing a 60% chance of showers during the day with a rainfall total of just .08". There is a 6% chance of rain on Sunday. A larger storm is anticipated to arrive on Halloween night with 1" of snow and .22" of rain predicted for Friday, .3" of snow on Saturday, .7" of snow on Sunday and .7" of snow on Monday.

Accuweather's forecast:

The Forest Service will start their fall prescribed burn operations in South Lake Tahoe this week. The weather conditions expected on Tuesday and Wednesday will determine which area will be burned first.

The two areas that will have piles burned are located near South Tahoe High School and in Christmas Valley.

100 acres near the high school are planned to be burned between October 14 and 16 with spoke expected to travel Northeast.

15 acres in Christmas Valley are planned to be burned between October 14 and 15 with smoke traveling in a Northeast direction.