forecast

One storm has entered the Lake Tahoe Basin, and another is waiting off shore, bringing snow and accompanying road controls with it.

The current winter weather advisory is in place until Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., but that is the same time a new winter storm warning goes up. The National Weather Service is forecasting 5-10" at lake level, 10-20" over the Sierra Crest and 10-15" in the Carson Range near Mt. Rose through Tuesday morning. From Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday night, expect another 12-18" at lake level with 2-3 feet above 7000 foot elevation.

The forecast for South Lake Tahoe over the next seven days calls for cold temperatures, winds and several inches of snow, a recipe for an increased risk of broken pipes in homes and businesses in the area.

Last week, both a private home on Saddle Road and the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe suffered through broken pipes, a scene that the SLT Fire Rescue Department sees about two dozen times a year. Over the last seven years, SLTFR has responded to 168 calls for broken water pipes. Local plumbers have responded to hundreds of others as well.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF.: A weak system will come into the Lake Tahoe Basin and Northern Nevada to wrap up 2016, but a second storm expected on New Year's Day may impact the area with accumulated snowfall and highs well below freezing.

Snow showers are likely after 10:00 p.m. Friday. Southwest wind around 10 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent and less than one-half inch of snow accumulation.

Christmas will be arriving early for those waiting for a strong storm to bring snow to Lake Tahoe. A winter storm warning has been issued for the area from 10:00 a.m. Friday to 4:00 p.m. Saturday. Friday is expected to be a heavy travel day, bringing people into the Basin for the holiday weekend.

Snow will start to move in Friday morning with periods of heavy snow all the way from Friday afternoon to Saturday midday. Forecasters are calling for 1-2 feet at elevations above 7,000 feet, with locally heavier along the Sierra Crest. Lake level can expect 8-16 inches.

"If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm," says the old quote, and if you want to see this weekend's clear and sunny skies you'll have to get through two days of rain, wind and snow.

The National Weather Service has issued three warnings for the Lake Tahoe Basin:

High Wind Warning in effect until Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Winds will be from the southwest 25 TO 40 mph with gusts 65-70 mph. Gust over 80 mph likely in wind prone areas around Reno, Carson City and Minden. Sierra ridge gusts up to 130 mph. Waves on the lake will be 3 to 7 feet.

The weekend will be more of an umbrella one than a snow boot one as a strong atmospheric river heads to Lake Tahoe. The National Weather Service to issue wind and flood warnings for the South Lake Tahoe area because of the deep moisture levels associated with this river that extends past Hawaii.

Wind advisory up until 4:00 a.m. Saturday, and Lake Wind Advisory from 10:00 a.m. Saturday to 10:00 p.m. Sunday. Strong and gusty winds with waves 2-4'. Winds will be 25-35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

An area of low pressure will bring cold air into the region on Tuesday night and Wednesday as an atmospheric river approaches Northern California, according to the National Weather Service.

By Wednesday night and Thursday the clash of cold air trapped in the valleys, along with warming above 5500 to 6000 feet brought with the atmospheric river, there could be a short period of freezing rain.

UPDATE 11/28/16 11:00 a.m.: All road restrictions have been lifted around the Lake Tahoe Basin. There is a 10-20 percent chance of snow during the remainder of the day.

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A fast moving storm dropped up to a couple of inches of snow at lake level overnight, leaving behind chain controls over the passes, a wind advisory and a chance for a little more snow during the day Wednesday.

Heavenly Mountain Resort opens today with a reported 3-5" of new snow.

Road controls at 8:00 a.m.:

HWY 50/Echo Summit - Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires) on US-50 from mile post 59.8 in El Dorado County to mile post 70.6 in El Dorado County in California. (Twin Bridges to Meyers)

This weekend’s snow storms delivered as much as 11 inches of fresh snow to the resorts around the Lake Tahoe basin, enough to prompt three resorts to open during the Thanksgiving holiday week.

Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California Resort will open for the ski season Wednesday, Nov. 23 and Kirkwood Mountain Resort will open for skiing Saturday, Nov. 26.

Chain controls around most of the South Shore have been lifted this morning, but a Winter Weather Advisory is still in place until 4:00 p.m. Sunday so that can change.

Highway 50 over both Echo and Spooner Summits is open with no controls as of 9:00 a.m. Sunday. Kingsbury Grade is clear as is Hwy 89 on the West Shore.

Highway 89 at Luther Pass requires chains or snow tires. Hwy 89 at Emerald Bay, Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four wheel / all wheel drive vehicles with snow treaded tires on all wheels.

A strong, but quick, cold front is headed to Lake Tahoe on Tuesday bringing with it high winds and some snow before it heads out Wednesday evening.

The National Weather Service has issued a lake wind advisory from 10:00 a.m. Tuesday through 4:00 a.m. Wednesday. Winds will be increasing during the day Tuesday, with wind gusts growing from 15 to 25 mph in the morning to gusts of 45 mph by late in the afternoon afternoon and peaking to 50 mph as the storm enters the basin.

Nevada'a larger cities and counties are projected to grow by 425,000 by 2035, according to a report released November 1 by the Nevada Department of Taxation. At the same time, rural counties in the state could see a slight decrease in numbers.

Clark and Washoe Counties are likely to see the largest population growth: Clark County could see an increase of 319,501 and Washoe County an increase of 83,926. Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, and Storey Counties could see a collective

Two storms are headed to Lake Tahoe and each will bring rain, wind and a chance of snow.

The first storm will hit Thursday into Friday, with the other one right on its tail Saturday night into Sunday.

Storm one:

Hurricane Seymour off the coast of Mexico will bring heavy rainfall that will likely cause travel delays, especially for those driving across the Sierra. The peak period for heavy rain looks like it will be early Friday morning. Rain will spillover into Western Nevada as well, so be prepared with ponding water on the roadway.

Mild weather at the lake this weekend, perfect for fall yard cleanup and a trip to Apple Hill and other fall favorites.

Southwest breezes will increase Saturday and Sunday as low pressure strengthens off the Pacific Northwest coast. Breezy and cooler weather is on tap for early next week with a chance for showers, mainly over northeast California. There is a slight chance of upper elevation snow at the end of the week.

The forecast for South Lake Tahoe from the National Weather Service:

10/16/16 update 7:00PM - The Little Valley Fire is holding at 3,400 acres with 55 percent containment. 667 personnel remain on the incident. More rain forecast tonight which will aid in extinguishing the fire which started on Friday.

22 residences and 17-outbuildings were destroyed with 480 homes saved in the direct vicinity of the fire. Multiple structures remain under threat until 100-percent containment has been achieved.

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10:00PM update - Current acreage burned in the Little Valley Fire has been revised at 3,400 acres with 20 percent containment this evening.

8:00AM update 10/15: Highway 89 remains closed in both directions from Fallen Leaf Lake Road to Emerald Bay due to the Emerald Fire which remains 80 percent contained this morning. Acreage burned is 210 acres.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

There are 3 engines and 12 firefighters still on the scene.

Opening time for Hwy 89 is still unclear. CHP estimates Saturday afternoon and Caltrans estimates the road will be closed until Monday. This is to allow crews to clean up the fallen trees and other debris on, and near, the roadway.

Those in South Lake Tahoe this weekend had sun and warm temperatures as they enjoyed fall colors, the marathon, Columbus Day and fall chores, but the weather is about to change by Friday.

It will be windy, with gusts up to 40 mph, strong enough to cause damage through Western Nevada and in the Sierra.

"Confidence is increasing for a high wind event Friday with strong winds continuing Saturday and Sunday," said the National Weather Service in Reno. "Damaging winds will be possible along with impacts to travel for high profile vehicles, aviation, and high fire danger."

Fall colors are near their peak in Lake Tahoe and Hope Valley, and with wind, rain and snow in the forecast, this may be the last few days to witness their spectacular golds, yellows and reds.

Not quite time to get on the slopes, but it certainly appears Mother Nature will attempt to get snow in the Lake Tahoe Basin this weekend with snow levels forecast at lake level. Light snow is expected and there may be impacts to travelers over Highways 50 and 80.

Location

9/19/16 update 8:00 p.m. - The Owens River Fire has now burned 6,050 acres east of Highway 395 and is now 20 percent contained. The fire is burning southeast of June Lake and northeast of Mammoth Lake.

9:00 a.m. update 9/18: The Owens River Fire burning east of Highway 395 and north of Owens River Road in Mono County has exploded to an estimated 4,500 acres. Even with the growth, firefighter were able to get it 10% contained.

Named the Owens River Fire, it is burning in sagebrush and Jeffrey pine.

If being outdoors is on your weekend agenda in Lake Tahoe, you'll be enjoying sunny skies and warm temperatures with highs around 80 and lows near 40. A possibly wet system is moving towards Northern Nevada and California Monday, and could result in rain in South Lake Tahoe.

The forecast from the National Weather Service:

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

If you like sunshine and warm temperatures, then the ten-day forecast is just for you!

Tonight - Clear, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 38. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West wind around 5 mph.

Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 79.

Clear skies in western Nevada and the Lake Tahoe basin will provide for some great viewing of the Perseid metero shower this week.

NASA says if you see one meteor shower this year, make it the Perseid meteor shower.

According to the National Weather Service in Reno, the weather forecast during the peak of the shower calls for mostly clear and cool conditions Thursday night into early Friday morning. Low temperatures in the Sierra will be in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s with lows in the 50 to 60 range for the western Nevada.