Cold front headed to Lake Tahoe packing a little punch with chance of rain and snow in forecast

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Plan on quiet weather with warm temperatures through Friday. An early season storm will bring periods of strong gusty winds with increased fire danger, much cooler temperatures, and even some
light rain showers (and yes, a chance of snow) starting this weekend. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno said big changes are in store this weekend as a rather strong cold front shifts through the region.

There is a Fire Weather Watch in place from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening, and again from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening.

Details from NWS Reno:

WINDS: Winds will increase Saturday, and especially Sunday with travel difficulties, choppy lake conditions, and areas of blowing dust possible. Winds will bring an increased risk of fire danger as well and Fire Weather Watches have been issued. Expect gusts 25-35 mph on Saturday, and 30-45 mph Sunday, locally stronger in wind prone locations.

TEMPERATURES: Anticipate about a 20 degree drop in high temperatures by Sunday-Monday as compared to recent days. The clouds, wind, and possible rain will make it feel that much colder on Sunday. Frosts and freezes are possible for outlying rural areas and suburban valleys Monday through Wednesday mornings. Be sure to cover your sensitive vegetation if you`re still enjoying those outdoor gardens.

RAIN/SNOW POTENTIAL: Best chances for rainfall will be near and north of I-80 Saturday night into Sunday with lighter rain possible south of there. Check back as the storm nears for anticipated rainfall totals. A few flakes are possible above 10,000 feet, but accumulation is unlikely. The one caveat is if things go convective with the front and/or a narrow cold frontal rainband (NCFR) sets up. This could easily bring a short-lived, intense period of precipitation, and lower snow levels further than currently forecast.

THUNDERSTORMS: There is a 15 percent chance for thunderstorms to develop
in northeast California, possibly as far south as the Tahoe Basin on Sunday as the cold and unstable portion of the low moves overhead. Soundings and NBM thunderstorm guidance both indicate the potential, so have added this to the forecast.

The 5-day forecast for South Lake Tahoe from NWS Reno:

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 77. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday - Sunny, with a high near 78. Light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Sunday - A slight chance of rain before 11am, then a chance of showers after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Breezy.
Sunday Night - A chance of showers, mainly before 11pm. Snow level 10300 feet lowering to 7900 feet after midnight . Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Breezy.
Monday - Sunny, with a high near 65.
Monday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 32.