Lake Tahoe Basin won't see March coming "in like a lion"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - March is known as a very changeable month, one where it can be warm and spring-like one week, and having record snowfall another. Weather folklore said, "If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb."

That won't be true in 2021 as dry conditions with above average daytime temperatures prevailing for much of this week. The next chance for rain or snow may arrive by this upcoming weekend, but a significant storm is unlikely.

There is a low coming in from the Pacific and swinging inland late Wednesday and early Thursday. There is a slight chance (ten percent) that Mono County will see rain or snow, with some clouds coming in south of US50.

The National Weather Service (NWS) says there is a chance of precipitation (20-30 percent) by next weekend as low pressure moves into the Pacific Northwest and the California coast. Even with this low chance, the latest maps are showing more likelihood of a drier forecast for next weekend. Gusty winds will also be a potential for next weekend if we get any storm systems to drop into northern California and Nevada.

Thee are some other March-related weather lore besides lions and lambs:

- A dry March and a wet May? Fill barns and bays with corn and hay.
- As it rains in March, so it rains in June.
- March winds and April showers? Bring forth May flowers.
- So many mists in March you see, so many frosts in May will be.
- Is’t on St. Joseph’s day (19th) clear, So follows a fertile year;
Is’t on St. Mary’s (25th) bright and clear, Fertile is said to be the year.

The weekly forecast from NWS Reno:

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 48. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. South wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Calm wind.

Tuesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Wednesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. South wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 52.

Thursday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 26.

Friday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Friday Night - A slight chance of snow. Snow level 6700 feet lowering to 6300 feet
after midnight . Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Saturday - A chance of rain and snow. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Saturday Night - A slight chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.