Windy and dry in Lake Tahoe basin and Northern Nevada: Red Flag Warning up

Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada are not alone this weekend as a combination of hot and dry conditions with gusty winds will bring dangerous fire weather conditions to a large portion of the western U.S. Any fire in this region will have the potential to grow rapidly out of control so extreme caution is urged near dry grass and brush. Numerous Red Flag Warnings are in effect from the Sierra Nevada to the High Plains of South Dakota.

A lake wind advisory is up for Lake Tahoe until 9:00 p.m. Saturday night. Check conditions before heading out on small craft, including paddle boards and kayaks.

The National Weather Service expects winds to be 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Wave heights on the lake will be 2 to 4 feet with the highest waves from mid-lake to the north and east shores.

Winds should subside Sunday, but gusts to 35 mph are still expected.

The NWS Forecast for South Lake Tahoe:

Today - Sunny, with a high near 69. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 64. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 70. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Monday Night - Clear, with a low around 44.

Tuesday - Sunny, with a high near 75.

Tuesday Night - Clear, with a low around 47.

Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 78.

Wednesday Night - Clear, with a low around 49.

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 80.

Thursday Night - Clear, with a low around 50.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 79.