SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – December will start on the dry side, with mainly dry conditions prevailing through the upcoming week. The coolest days are expected to be Wednesday and Thursday. A weak weather system is expected to pass through the region on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing periods of breezy winds, but shower chances have decreased, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.
Blocking any moisture-laden storms reaching the Sierra is blamed on a prevailing high-pressure system off the West Coast. Early signs favor that ridge drifting to the south, which may open up the Pacific storm track into the northwest US from Friday into next weekend.
NWS Reno is currently only anticipating low-end shower chances near the Oregon
border, although there is a chance the storm tracks closer to the Sierra by late next weekend, but most scenarios stay on the drier side. The stronger chance, at this time, looks for snow December 11-14, but it is still too far out to know what impact that system will have.
Valley inversions and light winds return Monday with highs in the mid-40s to near 50 for lower elevations and Sierra communities.
The forecast for South Lake Tahoe from NWS Reno:
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 47. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Monday Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 22. Calm wind.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 46.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 53.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 30.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
Saturday Night
A slight chance of snow. Snow level 7600 feet. Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
