Winter comes back to Lake Tahoe this week

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Spring was nice while it lasted! A slow-moving low-pressure system will provide daily chances for a mix of rain, snow, and pellet showers this week with rain-snow lines lowering to 5500-7000 feet by Tuesday morning. A few thunderstorms will also be possible each day (20-30% chance).

Be prepared for snow showers in the Sierra. While warm road temperatures and the early May sun angle may limit accumulations on paved surfaces, bursts of heavy snow and/or snow occurring during the overnight hours could bring travel impacts to mountain passes.

Expect gusty southerly winds to develop through mid-week with the strongest winds targeting portions of Churchill, Mineral, Lyon, and Mono Counites with potential crosswind travel impacts to US-395 and US-95.

Sorry, but additional low-pressure systems may track across the region by next weekend which could yield continued cool and breezy conditions. This may yield more rain and snow showers with snow levels remaining around 6000 to 8000 feet.

The weekly forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Monday - A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 am. Snow level 7700 feet. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday Night - A chance of rain showers before 8 pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 8 pm and 11 pm, then a chance of snow showers after 11 pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 27. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

Tuesday - Snow showers before 2 pm, then rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. High near 41. South wind around 5 mph becoming east in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Tuesday Night - A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Northwest wind around 5 mph. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible.

Wednesday - A chance of snow showers before 2 pm, then a chance of rain showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Wednesday Night - A chance of rain showers before 8 pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 6700 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 27. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

Thursday - A chance of rain and snow showers before 11 am, then rain showers are likely. Some thunder is also possible. Snow level 6600 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

Thursday Night - A chance of rain and snow showers before 2 am, then a chance of snow showers. Snow level 6700 feet lowering to 6300 feet after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 28.

Friday - A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain showers. Snow level rising to 6700 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Friday Night - A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 6700 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Saturday - A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level 6400 feet
rising to 7600 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 51.

Saturday Night - A slight chance of showers. Snow level 7900 feet lowering to 7100 feet after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 30.

Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.