rain

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) responded to Sierra House Elementary Monday after a report of smoke at the rear of the building.

The 8:02 a.m. call happened as staff and some students were arriving for the school day. Since it is remote learning at this time the school wasn't full and those that were there evacuated the building.

Cause of the smoke turned out to be a faulty heat tape and there was no damage to the structure or roof, just a rain gutter which had ice inside, according to LVFPD.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An incoming storm has been upgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory which is in effect for the Lake Tahoe Basin and Mono County from 4:00 a.m. Monday to 4:00 a.m. Tuesday. The rest of the storms forecast for the area have weakened though, with snowfall amounts greatly reduced.

A series of storms will affect the region starting Saturday night and going through next week. Overall potential impacts have trended lower that previously forecast, except for Monday which will feature strong winds and heavy mountain snows.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a few chances for precipitation as we wrap up 2020 and head into 2021, but at this point in time the systems on the horizon aren't looking like big snow makers.

As one system leaves Monday afternoon there will be a break in snow/rain activity on Tuesday, the next weather system is projected to arrive Wednesday evening and exit quickly by Thursday morning. While the more likely scenario favors light
snow (up to 2") for the Sierra and northeast California/far northwest Nevada it could cause some morning commute issues.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A cold front will bring a chance of snow showers and winds to the Lake Tahoe Basin Monday night into Tuesday, with another chance on Christmas Day and next weekend. While there are no major storms on the horizon, any precipitation is welcome at this time.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Stateline, and Incline Village from 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 11 to 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 12.

Snowfall potential has increased for the Lake Tahoe area, especially above 6500 feet has changed since initial forecasts were released earlier this week. Total snow accumulations of up to 3 inches are expected below 6500 feet, 4-8 inches above.

With California off to a dry start for the water year, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced Tuesday an initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation of 10 percent of requested supplies for the 2021 water year.

Initial allocations are based on conservative assumptions regarding hydrology and factors such as reservoir storage. Allocations are reviewed monthly and may change based on snowpack and runoff information. They are typically finalized by May.


The Mountain View Fire near Walker, California has burned 20,879 acres according to the Mono County Sheriff's Office. There has been one fatality due to the fire which started Tuesday when a fallen powerline ignited dry brush. Winds drove the flames rapidly, finally stopping progress when rain started to fall overnight.

Fire operations report that damage assessments are underway and it could be days before its safe for residents to return. Evacuation orders are still in effect for Walker, Coleville and Topaz.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It will be mild and quiet through Monday. The next storm moves in Tuesday for another round of strong winds, especially in eastern
California and far western Nevada. Rain and higher elevation snow are likely later Tuesday and Wednesday with travel in the Sierra affected. Temperatures will fall closer to average for the middle to the latter portion of the week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

There is a High Wind Watch and a Winter Weather Watch in place for the Lake Tahoe Basin, though lake level should not see much snow.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Wind Advisory is in effect Friday, November 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the greater Lake Tahoe area, greater Reno-Carson City-Minden area, Mono County and Western Nevada Basin and range including Pyramid Lake.

Expect southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. Wind prone areas such as; the Sierra foothills and portions of US-395 through the North Valleys, Washoe Valley, and Mono County can see gusts over 60 mph at times with Sierra ridges gusting over 100 mph.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Mark Twain said "the air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious," and this week that air will be colder than it has been. There is a little bit of everything in the five day forecast for South Lake Tahoe.

Starting Thursday, November 5, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Lake Tahoe Basin. It will be in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Friday. The forecast gusty winds and critically dry fuels could cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a Fire Weather Watch in effect from 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Monday at 5:00 p.m. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno is calling for gusty winds and low humidity for the Lake Tahoe Basin through western Lassen County.

* Affected Area...Fire Zone 271 Western Lassen, Eastern Plumas, Eastern Sierra, and Eastern Nevada Counties and Fire Zone 272 Greater Lake Tahoe Area.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Lake Wind Advisory for South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City, Truckee, Markleeville, Stateline, Glenbrook, and Incline Village from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday.

Expect southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected. Waves will be 2 to 4 feet with highest waves on the northeast shores.

Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve.

On April 18, 2017 the South Lake Tahoe City Council unanimously passed a resolution to: 1) Power the South Lake Tahoe community with electricity provided from 100 percent renewable sources by 2032 and 2) Reduce community carbon emissions from baseline by at least 80 percent by 2040, and reduce municipal emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Fall arrives officially on Tuesday, September 22. A general haze should linger for most locations with worse smoke and degraded air quality expected for portions of northeast California and the eastern Sierra today. Some degree of smoke and haze should affect the region through the week, but it will be dependent on fire activity. High temperatures return to slightly above average with dry conditions and breezy afternoon winds expected for this week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a Dense Smoke Advisory in place until 11:00 a.m. Monday. Widespread smoke and haze issues will continue much of this week. Warm temperatures are expected through Thursday then a cold front will drop readings back to near or even below normal for the upcoming weekend. Increased winds could bring fire weather concerns through the week, but especially Thursday and Friday. A few light showers possible in northeastern California Friday and Saturday according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe (SISLT) awarded scholarships to a group of local students from South Tahoe High, George Whittell High, the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy and Lake Tahoe Community College. The club, serving the community since 1959, has given out over one-million dollars to local graduates over the years.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If it's true that "lightning never strikes the same place twice," the Ogness family doesn't have anything to worry about.

Mike Ogness, his wife, daughter and son-in-law, and grandaughter (and two Golden Retrievers) were enjoying a summer afternoon in their Tahoe Keys home on Thursday when a storm cell went over South Lake Tahoe, dropping hail and rain, and accompanied by outbursts of lightning.

One of those lightning strikes hit the Ogness home.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a Lake Wind Advisory in effect for Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Expect winds from the west 15-25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Waves on Lake Tahoe will be 2-4 feet. Strongest winds and roughest conditions expected Saturday afternoon and evening, and then again on Sunday.

Small boats, kayaks, and paddleboards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Dr. James Tarwater will be bringing his 54-year career in education to a close this month as he passes the torch to the new Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) superintendent June 30.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Lake Wind Advisory for Greater Lake Tahoe Area and Tahoe, Donner, Fallen Leaf, Prosser, and Boca for Friday, June 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Winds will be from the southwest 15-25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Waves 2-4 feet on Lake Tahoe can be expected.

Small boats, kayaks, and paddleboards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve.

The three-day forecast:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The calendar says the week before Memorial Day, but Mother Nature isn't too keen on letting summer get a start in Lake Tahoe.

A late-season storm will bring gusty winds, below-average temperatures, mountain snow, and periods of valley rain for the rest of today through Tuesday. Cloud cover hangs around into Wednesday keeping temperatures below seasonal averages with a few showers possible. Winds increase Thursday ahead of another system
which could bring a second round of cooler temperatures and scattered showers back to the region for Friday and Saturday.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Summer-like weather around Lake Tahoe is gone for now. There is a Lake Wind Advisory in place for Lake Tahoe from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday. Stronger winds will be north of US50 and east of US395. The winds will bring a cooling trend as a low-pressure system reaches the northwest U.S. coast. From Tuesday through Thursday, below-average temperatures are expected with breezy winds and chances for rain and high elevation snow showers mainly near the Sierra and north of Interstate 80.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A potent spring storm will continue to impact the Sierra tonight into Monday morning with periods of heavy snowfall and hazardous
travel. Cool and snowy/rainy conditions persist through Tuesday but chances will diminish as the low exits the region. High pressure then builds for the second half of the week with a drying and warming pattern expected heading into the weekend.

The weekly forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you looked at the 7-day forecast on Sunday morning you may have been excited...high 50s at the end of the week followed by a 60 on Easter Sunday. That all went awry by afternoon as the weather models show a cold front dropping further south than originally planned and into northern California and Nevada with the jet stream near the Oregon border.

There will now be increased winds for Wednesday through Friday afternoons, particularly for thee Sierra ridges. The highs decreased and will now be closer to average and a chance of precipitation lingers.