Smoke, rain and cooler temperatures in forecast for South Lake Tahoe

Submitted by paula on Sun, 09/13/2015 - 9:01am

There is a chance of thunderstorms and rain in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday, how big of a chance differs between forecasters though. Accuweather is calling for a 60% chance of thunderstorms and rain in South Lake Tahoe, mainly between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Expected amounts of precipitation are small though, with .04 inches forecast.

The National Weather Service in Reno says the chance for isolated thunder and rain is 20% for both Sunday and Monday.

Expect smoke to remain in the Lake Tahoe basin until the weather conditions change.

A trough of low pressure will begin moving into the Pacific Northwest Monday. Ahead of this trough gusty winds will develop across Northeast California and Western Nevada. Wind gusts Monday Afternoon could reach 35-45 mph north of Highway 50. Humidity will begin to increase along with these gusty winds, so widespread critical fire weather conditions are not expected. However, any fires ignited by lightning strikes Sunday would be driven by these gusty winds.

Forecast according to National Weather Service:

Sunday - Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Widespread haze. Areas of smoke. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night - Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Widespread haze. Areas of smoke before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday - A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Widespread haze before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Breezy, with a southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Monday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tuesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Wednesday - 20 percent chance of showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

Wednesday Night - A slight chance of showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Thursday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 71.

Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 42.