Countdown to Amgen: Chance of snow leads up to race day

The date was May 15, 2011. All eyes of the bicycle racing world were on South Lake Tahoe as our mountain resort town hosted one of the top cycling events in the world. Anticipation and excitement were evident throughout the area as plans came into place with the amazing groups of volunteers that the South Shore is known for.

With a threat of snow all weekend, locals and racers were hoping the forecast of heavy snow was a wrong one, as it often can be. Dawn greeted everyone on that Sunday morning with a sub-zero windchill, icy roads, and a forecast high of just 40 degrees. Not to be thwarted, hearty groups set up their booths along the course to sell food and souvenirs, waiting for racing fans to line the streets.

The race never happened after several hours of waiting to see if conditions improved.

Tourism officials in South Lake Tahoe were hoping history wouldn't repeat itself four years later when the women's tour came to town. A week of sunny to partly cloudy skies and comfortable highs in the 60s look like they're coming to an end and snow is now forecast once again for the Amgen tours stop in South Lake Tahoe.

Starting Wednesday, May 6, 2015. the daily forecast calls for a chance of snow through Friday's Stage 1, though nothing as cold or major as 2011. Stage 1 takes the cyclists around the lake. Weather for Saturday's race scheduled through the South Shore is looking a bit better.

The forecast according to the National Weather Service:

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Light west wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the evening.

Wednesday - A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday Night - A slight chance of rain showers before 9pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday - A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday Night - A chance of rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday - A chance of rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50.

Friday Night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Saturday - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

Saturday Night - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

Sunday Night - A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Monday - Partly sunny, with a high near 61.