Ready for a quick change in seasons at Lake Tahoe?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Fall has been warmer and drier than normal around Lake Tahoe, but that is about to come to a screeching halt. Time to get all of those pre-winter chores done as temperatures will be drastically dropping and lows will be well below freezing. Might also want to take that last trip into Hope Valley for fall color before the incoming weather will most likely take down those colorful leaves.

Strong, gusty winds make their way over the Sierra starting Friday night and going into Saturday. Widespread 30-45 mph gusts in valleys with a 50 percent
chance to exceed 50 mph in wind-prone locations. Expect to see gusts of 80-100 mph across Sierra ridgelines.

Tie down those Halloween decorations!

With the wind there is also increased fire danger, so caution is urged. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the Lake Tahoe Basin, Carson Valley, and the Sierra. It is in place from Friday at 11 p.m. to Saturday at 8 a.m.

The weekend will be our first big chill - brrr. Get ready to bundle up and think about changing out those flip-flops for something warmer. Temperatures will plunge 15-25 degrees this weekend. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno, chances are high (over 80 percent) for sub-freezing lows even in urban centers Saturday through Monday night.

There are chances for rain and snow - chances for rain area-wide Saturday, with a chance of snow showers above 5000 feet, but amounts look light. Mountain passes will see some snow, especially those above 8000’ such as Carson and Mt Rose.

Mountain communities could see around an inch, while even western Nevada valleys could see some flurries flying.

There is another system in line for the Sierra starting Tuesday night.

NWS Reno forecast for South Lake Tahoe Friday-Monday:

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 70. South wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night - Increasing clouds, with a low around 37. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

Saturday - Scattered showers. Snow level 8800 feet lowering to 7600 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night - Scattered rain showers before 8pm, then scattered snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light northwest in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 48.

Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 21.

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 61.

Monday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 27.