South Lake Tahoe forecast: Some near freezing nights, cooler week ahead

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Make sure you check out the Lake Tahoe Basin's Red Flag Warning and Lake Wind Advisory for Tuesday, September 7 (SEE HERE).

Gusty winds develop this afternoon and evening along with much cooler temperatures Tuesday behind a dry cold front. Low temperatures will fall to near or below freezing in Sierra valleys, with 30s in colder lower valleys, Wednesday and Thursday. It is expected to warm back to well above average for the latter part of the week.

Behind the strong cold front, temperatures are expected to cool down markedly according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. Tuesday afternoon`s high temperatures will be at least 15-25 degrees cooler compared to Monday afternoon`s highs, with highs in the upper-60s to mid-70s expected areawide. Breezy easterly winds are expected Tuesday with the tightened pressure/temperature gradient across our region. Sierra ridgetops could gust over 45-50 mph. Temperatures will remain below normal Wednesday as east-northeast flow continues to usher in cool air.

For the latter half of the week, an area of high pressure looks to build into our area, increasing temperatures to above average for this time of year. Afternoon highs will increase into the 80s for Sierra valleys and 90s for lower valleys of northeastern California and western Nevada. With clear skies, morning lows will be chilly in the lower valleys of the Sierra. Light slope driven winds look to
make a comeback with dry conditions continuing.

The forecast from NWS Reno:

Labor Day - Widespread haze. Areas of smoke. Sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight - Widespread haze before 11pm. Areas of smoke before 11pm. Clear, with a low around 45. West wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northeast after midnight.

Tuesday - Sunny, with a high near 70. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday Night - Clear, with a low around 33. East wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 73. East wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night - Clear, with a low around 35. Northeast wind around 5 mph
becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 76.

Thursday Night - Clear, with a low around 38.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 80.

Friday Night - Clear, with a low around 41.

Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 82.

Saturday Night - Clear, with a low around 42.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 82.