Weak to moderate atmospheric river, warm temps headed to Lake Tahoe

Submitted by paula on Sun, 01/29/2017 - 6:41pm

Mild weather with above average daytime temperatures is settled over South Lake Tahoe, but it won't last long as a new systems hits the Lake Tahoe Basin at the end of the week.

High pressure is keeping the quiet weather over the Sierra through midweek.

A mild to moderate atmospheric river will impact Northern California and Western Nevada late Wednesday through Friday according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

This system will have a period of gusty winds on Thursday with ridges seeing gusts near 100 mph and valleys up to 45 mph.

This will be a relatively warmer storm with rain at lake level and snow levels of 7,000’-8,000’ Thursday afternoon. Snow levels will fall to near Lake Tahoe level by Friday morning.

Western Nevada will see all rain except in the upper elevations.

Those with travel plans across the Sierra will likely encounter chain controls and traffic delays. Some increased flows in small creeks and streams can be expected.

Forecast from NWS:

Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 17. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming south in the evening.

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 47. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Monday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 18. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday - Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.

Wednesday Night - A chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday - Rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 42. Breezy.

Thursday Night - Showers. Cloudy, with a low around 32. Breezy.

Friday -Rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 41.

Friday Night- A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Saturday - Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Saturday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 43.