SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A series of strong atmospheric river events are taking aim on the Sierra Nevada, bringing with them heavy rain for the first waves, followed by periods of heavy snow. So far, the winter of 24/25 has brought more rain than snow to lake level, with upper elevations getting the snow.
Starting Friday, the storm will bring higher-elevation snow, and moderate to heavy rain around Lake Tahoe and down to the valleys, with strong southwesterly winds. The very beginning of the storm may see lake-level snow before it moves higher. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued three different warnings. Here is what to expect during each phase:
Winter Weather Advisory – 4 a.m. January 31 to 10 p.m. February 1 – Above 7000 feet, wet snow. Snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches with up to 20 inches above 8,000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 90 mph.
Lake Wind Advisory – 12 p.m. January 31 to February 1 at 7 p.m. – Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph and waves 2 to 3 feet.
Winter Storm Watch – Sunday, February 2 from 4 a.m. to Monday, February 3 at 10 p.m. – For the Tahoe Basin above 7000 feet, heavy wet snow. Snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet. Winds gusting as high as 90 mph.
Look for mostly moderate to heavy rain initially below 5500-6000 feet that quickly rises to around 8000 feet overnight Friday into Saturday morning and stays at that elevation through Sunday. South Lake Tahoe should see 1-1.5″ of rain on Friday, 2-3″ of rain on Saturday, with about an inch of rain on Sunday.
Most of the snow around Lake Tahoe comes with the next wave of the storm, starting late Tuesday afternoon and going into Thursday. By the hour for snow: Tuesday 7 p.m. – 1.1″, Wednesday 1 a.m. – 2.7″, Wednesday 1 p.m. – 2″, Wednesday 7 p.m. – 1.5″, Thursday 1 a.m. – 3″, Thursday 7 a.m. – 3.6″, Thursday 1 p.m. – 2.9″.
As the storms get closer, forecasting models may have more fine tuned amounts of rain and snow.
South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Station 3 has sand and sandbags available behind the station. They are located at 2101 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Bring a shovel if possible. If necessary, another location may open in Meyers.
Forecast from NWS Reno for South Lake Tahoe
Friday
A chance of snow before 10am, then rain. Snow level rising to 7900 feet in the afternoon. High near 45. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday Night
Rain before 4am, then rain and snow. Snow level 7600 feet. Low around 30. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday
Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 7am. Snow level 8000 feet. High near 46. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday Night
Rain. Snow level 8300 feet. Low around 31. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Sunday
Rain. Snow level 7900 feet. High near 48. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
Rain likely. Snow level 7700 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Monday
Rain likely. Snow level 7200 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.
Monday Night
Rain and snow. Snow level 6900 feet. Cloudy, with a low around 27.
Tuesday
Rain and snow. Snow level 6700 feet. Cloudy, with a high near 41.
Tuesday Night
Rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.
Wednesday
Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38.