SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – After a dry and warm March, April has been bringing some snow and rain to the Lake Tahoe Basin. Snow has been in the upper elevations. The roller coaster springtime pattern continues this week as conditions transition from seasonably mild and dry to cooler and wetter with Sierra snow impacts expected, driven by a spring low-pressure system tracking inland this weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Lake Tahoe Basin this weekend, from Saturday morning through Sunday night. They are calling for heavy snow with snow accumulations between 6 and 10 inches for communities surrounding Lake Tahoe and up to 7000 feet, and 12 to 28 inches above 7000 feet and for Sierra passes. Winds gusting as high as 90 mph along the Sierra crest and 20-35 mph for communities surrounding Lake Tahoe Saturday afternoon.
Isolated thunderstorms are possible for the Eastern Sierra and far Western Nevada on Thursday afternoon, with more scattered thunderstorms and widespread precipitation expected on Friday.
Snow showers may be limited to high elevations of the Sierra on Friday, with snow levels generally hanging around 7500-8000 feet.
On Saturday, the latest snow level trends have lowered nearly 1000 feet over the last 12-24 hours, with snow levels dropping below 7000 feet by Saturday morning. At this time, rain could begin to transition to snow by Friday night, with travel impacts
across the Sierra expected for Saturday and Sunday. At this time, chances of seeing over 2 feet of snow are over 55% along Sierra crest passes, with around 6-12″ for Mono County west of US-395 (above 8000 feet) and 6-10″ around lake level in the Tahoe Basin. Winter Storm Watches have been issued for these areas.
Expect gusty south-southwest to accompany this storm, with gusts of 30-40 mph expected for most areas, with over 50 mph for wind-prone areas. Most snow impacts should begin to wane by early Monday morning with drier and cooler conditions prevailing.
The South Lake Tahoe four-day forecast:
Thursday
A chance of showers between 11 am and 2 pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 pm. Snow level 8100 feet rising to 9300 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Snow level 9200 feet lowering to 8300 feet after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southwest wind around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday
Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 am. Snow level 7900 feet. High near 52. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night
Rain showers before 2 am, then rain and snow showers. Snow level 7700 feet, lowering to 6800 feet after midnight. Low around 28. Southwest wind around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday
Rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Snow level 6500 feet. High near 46. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday Night
Rain and snow showers, becoming all snow after 8 pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 20. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39.
Sunday Night
A chance of snow showers, mainly before 11 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.