Weak systems aren't promising much snow to Lake Tahoe Basin
Submitted by paula on Sun, 01/10/2016 - 10:14pm
A few weak weather systems are headed to Lake Tahoe, but they don't bring with them much of a chance for precipitation.
A weak storm will pass to the north on Monday and Tuesday with 20% chance of it leaving a little snow according to the National Weather Service.
There is a decent chance for rain and snow on Wednesday when the next system moves into Northern California and Northern Nevada, but just how much will be uncertain. It will be moving into the ridge which has already broken up and weakened a couple of systems encountering the west coast, so forecasters are uncertain if this storm will hold together.
"Sunday was much drier than models showed last Wednesday/Thursday so don't get excited just yet," said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) when reviewing the forecast for the week.
They said if the current models hold, a few inches of snow are possible in the Sierra, with snow levels 5,000 to 5,500 feet. Their confidence is low for much snow due to a pattern of weakening split systems.
At the end of the week, Thursday through Sunday, more weak systems are possible but forecasters with NOAA said their confidence in their strength remains low. If Wednesday;s storm holds together there is a chance the ridge can be weakened to allow additional systems to reach the coast and remain intact over the Sierra.
Temperatures will remain below average.
The forecast:
Tonight - Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday - Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night - A slight chance of rain and snow after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday - Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Wednesday Night - A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Thursday - A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36.
Thursday Night - A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Friday - A slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 37.
Friday Night - A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Saturday - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37.
Saturday Night - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 34.
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