weather service

It will be a taste of winter through Thursday in Lake Tahoe as temperatures drop and snow is expected to fall, and not just in upper elevations. Snow may be seen down to the 6500 ft level.

The National Weather Service in Reno forecast:

Tonight - Showers. Low around 34. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday - Scattered rain and snow showers before 11am, then scattered rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

The National Weather Service (NSW) in Reno today issued their very first tornado warning for the Lake Tahoe basin.

At 3:45 p.m. a severe thunderstorm warning was issued first for the middle of Lake Tahoe near Glenbrook. At that time one of their team members saw a funnel cloud over Incline Village and sent in a photo, so the tornado warning was issued immediately.

Even though Wednesday's warning was the first for Lake Tahoe, there have been five issued for northwest Nevada since 2000 according to Scott McGuire of the NWS Forecast Office in Reno.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Lake Tahoe area from 2:00 p.m. Wednesday to 8:00 p.m. Thursday.

Thunderstorms with potentially dangerous lightening strikes are forecast along with heavy rain and possible flash flooding.

A negatively tilted trough is setting the stage for a widespread outbreak of thunderstorms this afternoon through Thursday from the northern Sierra and far western Nevada to the Oregon border.

A strong high pressure system over the Sierra and Great Basin will bring dry weather and warm temperatures through the middle of next week. While Reno may be breaking records, Lake Tahoe is expected to be just under theirs though well above average.

The system is expected to weaken before the Labor Day weekend.

Here is the forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno. Average temps and record high and lows will be in ( ).

A weak low pressure system will produce cooler temperatures Monday with a slight chance for showers and a few thunderstorms over the Sierra. High pressure off the west coast will keep a progressive shortwave pattern over California and Nevada through the week according to the National Weather Service. Slight warming trend possible with high pressure strengthening by Thursday or Friday.

Here is the forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Tonight - Increasing clouds, with a low around 46. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thunderstorms are forecast Sunday and into early next week. They could bring heavy rainfall with localized flash flooding as well as small hail and strong outflow winds. Cloud cover will affect the coverage/intensity of storms.

Forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Sunday - Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11am. Some storms could be severe, with heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

A change in weather is forecast for the Lake Tahoe Basin, with a 30 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms in the forecast for July 24-25. By Wednesday the area will dry out and highs of 88 are expected by the end of the week.

With the chance of showers and thunderstorms also comes a chance of gusty winds, hail and flash flooding possible in some areas of Western Nevada. Activity on the water should cease when this activity starts.

Forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

7:45 p.m. update: There is less smoke in the Lake Tahoe basin this evening but air quality is still measuring in the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" range. The Detwiler Fire is burning in drought stricken chaparral and in an area of severe tree mortality and has consumed 70,596 acres and is now 10 percent contained.

As of tonight, 50 residences and 49 other structures have been destroyed and widespread evacuation orders are still in place.

Widespread haze over Lake Tahoe, Reno and Carson City areas is forecast again for Friday.

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The Detwiler Fire near Mariposa, Calif. has grown to 19,600 acres this evening, prompting evacuation of the town as well as surrounding areas near Highways 49 and 140.

The fire remains at fiver percent contained.

At this time, one structure has been destroyed and one damaged, and 300 other buildings are threatened. 780 firefighting personnel are at the scene which is west of Yosemite and east of Lake McClure. Nine airtankers, 100 engines, 5 helicopters, 9 dozers and 4 water tenders are being used on the fire.

4:00 p.m. Saturday update: The popular saying "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes" is true again in Lake Tahoe. The National Weather Service in Reno has updated their forecast:

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Have you noticed hazy skies around Lake Tahoe today? No, there are no fires nearby but the Air Quality Index (AQI) is showing a "moderate" range.

There are two fires southwest of Yosemite near Mariposa, but winds are most likely not strong enough to carry that smoke into the Tahoe Basin and Northern Nevada. The Spring Fire started Sunday afternoon and has now burned 60 acres. Nearby the four-day old Ben Fire is 95 percent contained.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Records aren't expected to fall this week, but South Lake Tahoe will continue to see warm and sunny days. Winds will increase on Monday and Tuesday.

South Lake Tahoe broke records three of last seven days with all time highs of 90 on June 19, 87 on June 20 and 86 on June 21.

Records and forecast temperatures this week:
June 26 - 89 (2015) - 81
June 27 - 87 (1981) - 78
June 28 - 89 (2013) - 78
June 29 - 89 (2013) - 81
June 30 - 89 (2013) - 81
July 1 - 92 (2013) - 82
July 2 - 90 (2013) - 86

There are chain controls up on Hwy 80, 88 and 431, and high wind warnings in place through the Washoe Valley. Expect the controls to be removed this morning, but use caution with snow and ice are on other roadways.

It isn't unusual to see some snow in June, but chain controls are unusual. The cold weather that brought the snow is passing and the highs in Lake Tahoe will be 52 today and 80 by Friday.

Here is the forecast from the Nationl Weather Service in Reno:

Forecasters are talking snow at the upper elevations Friday, but at lake level there is only a chance of showers and wind. A Lake Wind Advisory is effect on Friday from noon to 7:00 p.m. Winds are expected from the southwest 15-20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Wave heights on Lake Tahoe can be 1-3 feet.

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

Here is the forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Temperatures are flirting 80, and in fact the initial forecast for this week in South Lake Tahoe had two days with 80s. The National Weather Service has dropped their forecast by a couple of degrees, but still a fabulous weekend ahead for Tahoe.

There is a 30 percent chance of showers on Wednesday but just for the day.

The small stream flood advisory due to snowmelt has been extended through Tuesday for Plumas, Mono, Alpine, El Dorado, Placer, Sierra, Nevada, Douglas and Washoe Counties along with Western Carson City.

Here is the NWS forecast:

Warming temperatures will accelerate snowpack melt across the Sierra this weekend and the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for California and western Nevada, including the following areas: In California, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties, and Mono County. In western Nevada: Greater Lake Tahoe Area and Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area.

Flows on small creeks and streams will rise through at least early next week. Daily peak flows on small creeks and streams typically occur during the evening
and overnight hours.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has updated the South Lake Tahoe forecast, and what was once a week of rain and snow is now full of sunshine and warming temperatures after one day of wet weather.

There is a Lake Wind Advisory for Tahoe from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday with winds from the southwest to west, 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Waves on the lake could be 2 to 4 feet from mid lake to northeast and east shores.

Here is the latest NWS forecast:

Tonight - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Lake Tahoe is seeing the winter that keeps on giving into spring. It has been snowing in South Lake Tahoe since about 3:00 p.m. and conditions on area roads are not good for travelers over the Sierra.

As Heavenly Mountain Resort celebrates a final weekend of skiing, those looking for warmer weather for biking, walking or yard work should have a week of nice and mild temps in Lake Tahoe. While not quite sunbathing weather, the highs will be creeping towards 70 before another system hits the area at the end of next week.

Because of the warmer temperatures, there is a flood advisory in effect for area rivers due to snow melt.

Here is the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today - Sunny, with a high near 53. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Rain, snow, sunshine, repeat. The weekly forecast for Lake Tahoe is getting to be repetitious this Spring.

The 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno starts the week off with a chance of snow but wraps it up with sunny days in the 60s.

Monday - Scattered rain and snow showers before 11am, then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Enjoy a sunny Saturday in Lake Tahoe, but don't count on it lasting too long. The National Weather Service in Reno is calling for rain and snow through Thursday.

Kirkwood is closing on Sunday for the season, with other resorts starting to wrap up their seasons next week.

Here is the NWS forecast:

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Saturday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind around 5 mph.

A late season atmospheric river will bring another significant precipitation event to the Sierra and western Nevada. Near saturated soils and a mostly ripe low to mid elevation snowpack will contribute to increased runoff. This will increase flood potential, especially along creeks and streams, Friday into Saturday. This event isn`t expected to be as strong as storms in January and February but is a significant precipitation event for April.

The winds have arrived in South Lake Tahoe, and three weather related warnings have come with them: wind, snow and flooding.

The typical see-saw weather pattern normal for South Lake Tahoe in Spring, continues this week.

A wind advisory has been issued for the basin from 5:00 a.m. Thursday, March 30 through the day until 8:00 p.m. Winds will increase through the day, coming from the west 20-30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph by early afternoon behind a passing cold front. Waves on Lake Tahoe are expected to be 2-4 feet with the highest waves on the eastern and southern shores.

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

Spring in the Sierra is always a myriad of weather, and the seven-day forecast has a little bit of something for everyone.

If you would like a little more of the cold stuff, a winter weather advisory is in effect from 7:00 a.m. Friday to 4:00 a.m. Saturday. Snow will spread into the Tahoe Basin Friday morning with intense snowfall in the afternoon and evening.