SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – There are numerous weather warnings at Lake Tahoe this week, as the next series of storms heads to the Sierra Nevada. Expect rain, wind and snow, and watch the timing of systems if planning to travel to, from, and around Tahoe.
- Flood Watch until December 22, 4 p.m.
- Wind Advisory in effect from December 20, 10 p.m. until December 22, 4 a.m.
- Winter Weather Advisory in effect from December 21, 4 p.m., until December 22, 1 p.m.
- Winter Storm Watch in effect from December 23, 10 p.m., until December 26, 10 a.m.
As the system continues to bring wind and rain, the focus of the greater amounts of precipitation will be for western Lassen County to the Tahoe area through late Monday. Precipitation will begin to taper into Tuesday morning, with Tuesday offering a brief break in the action, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.
It looks like a snowy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with a clear but chilly end to the week. NWS Reno will update us in a couple of days on expected snow amounts for Christmas Day, but at this time they are estimating 13″-20″.
The weekly forecast from NWS Reno:
Monday
Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 10 am. Snow level 8000 feet. High near 45. Southwest wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Monday Night
A chance of rain before 1 am, then a chance of rain and snow between 1 am and 4 am, then a chance of snow after 4 am. Snow level 7100 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tuesday
Rain likely, mainly after 4 pm. Snow level 6900 feet rising to 7700 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night
Rain. Snow level 7700 feet. Low around 29. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches are possible.
Wednesday
Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10 am. Snow level 6700 feet, lowering to 6300 feet in the afternoon. High near 38. Southwest wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Wednesday Night
Snow. Low around 26. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches is possible.
Christmas Day
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a high near 37.
Thursday Night
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a low around 24.
Friday
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a high near 36.
Friday Night
Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.
Saturday
A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 36.
Saturday Night
A slight chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.
