forecast

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The monthly manual survey of the snowpack at Phillips Station, just west of Lake Tahoe, revealed data that won't catch many by surprise. There is 29 inches of snow with a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 11.5 inches at the location near US50 and Sierra-at-Tahoe Road. This is 47 percent of the March average at this spot.

The SWE measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack, which provides a more accurate forecast of spring runoff.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It isn't news to those who live in or frequent the Lake Tahoe region, the area has been experiencing very dry conditions this winter. Even though dry, it is not bad enough yet to put Tahoe into a drought category. The Drought Monitor released this week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) places 45 percent of the country in the D0-D4 categories, or abnormally dry to exceptional drought. This is a big change from 2018-19. At that time Lake Tahoe had well above average snow, but 62.6 percent of the U.S. fell into the Do-D4 categories.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a windy end to the weekend, expect the wind to start dying down on Monday though early in the day there will still be waves on Lake Tahoe and wind gusts up to 20 mph at lake level. Most of the week will see normal temperatures and dry conditions persisting with a chance of light snow showers moving through the region Thursday night into Friday.

The 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno:

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 44. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On Sunday a sharp cold front will rapidly push through the region, bringing strong winds and a quick burst of snow. The widespread southwest winds Sunday morning will be shifting to the northwest behind the front.

A Lake Wind Advisory is up for Lake Tahoe until 7:00 p.m. Sunday. The strongest winds are anticipated to be near and south of US-50, with US-395 possibly seeing travel restrictions for high profile vehicles.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A ridge of high pressure is building off the southwest coast, one that will bring light wind and warm daytime temperatures with overnight inversions ot Lake Tahoe, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. Before it gets here though there is a small system moving through the area that brings a chance of rain and snow to Lake Tahoe at the beginning of the week.

Each day this week will see above-average temperatures. The average daytime high for this week is 40 with a low of 23.

The South Lake Tahoe forecast from the NWS:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Storms for the winter of 2019/20 haven't been prolific, but this week's one-day storm left behind up to two feet of snow at Lake Tahoe ski resorts and about a foot around South Lake Tahoe.

Chain controls remain on mountain roads Friday morning but expect them to be dropping as the forecast calls for partly sunny skies and a high of 35. Saturday and Sunday will be partly to mostly sunny and in the mid-40s.

Road controls as of 7:45 a.m. January 17:

US50

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A strong winter storm will move through the region tonight through Thursday. This storm will bring heavy mountain snow, strong gusty winds, and plenty of travel headaches. Once through Thursday, expect less active weather over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend with the possibility of more storms next week.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Advisories and storm watch in place this week for the Lake Tahoe Basin though some forecasted snowfall totals have been adjusted.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It will be a dry start to the week with a weak system dropping into the region late Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing a chance of snow to the Lake Tahoe Basin and Sierra Crest. The next weather system next weekend is system is expected to be colder, wetter, and stronger than recent storms, but still an overall average storm for the region. Impacts will likely include moderate snow totals for the Sierra, lighter accumulations across western Nevada, some travel disruptions possible for aviation and ground routes, and some gusty winds.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the first manual snow survey of the season at Phillips Station Thursday, and they found 33.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 11 inches. The snowpack at this location is 97 percent of average, with the Sierra as a whole at 90 percent of average.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Temperatures will be below average for the rest of the year as the second part of the storm that brought snow Sunday makes its way into the Lake Tahoe Basin to start off the week.

Snow looks to continue for Monday spreading into western Nevada and impacting holiday travel. After a brief break overnight Sunday, precipitation is expected to
increase in intensity once again for Mono County and the Tahoe Basin early Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Holiday travel may be impacted as a storm system is bringing gusty winds to the Sierra and Lake Tahoe this week along with a period of snow on Sunday. Below average temperatures will continue through the remainder of this year, with some weak storm systems possibly producing light snow accumulations and slick roads at times.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A quick-moving storm made its was over the Sierra and Lake Tahoe Saturday night and Sunday morning, leaving behind a few inches of snow and the beautiful views the region is known for.

Recorded snowfall in South Lake Tahoe was 5" with 7" at Heavenly Mountain Resort and 7-10" over at Homewood. The forecast shows some days with sunshine and cold nights ahead until the next chance of snow on Wednesday and again next weekend.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a break between storms with a quiet weather pattern in place over the next couple of days, though the potential for morning fog remains at the beginning of the week. A weak weather system could bring light snow showers to the mountains from late Tuesday into Wednesday with a return of another atmospheric river system with high snow levels that could arrive by Friday.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Winter Storm Watch has been ungraded to a Winter Storm Warning for the Lake Tahoe Basin, Truckee and Donner Pass until noon on Sunday.

Changes from the previous forecast include the added threat for high intensity snowfall and thundersnow Saturday evening.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Snow and rain showers will continue in the Sierra with moderate to heavy snow accumulating above 7000 feet through Sunday. This storm will continue to produce a mix of snow, rain, and possibly ice for Sierra valleys and out across western Nevada until Monday. After a breather on Tuesday, more precipitation is on the way for the middle of next week and next weekend.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Chain controls over many mountain roads are being lifted this morning as the beautiful blue skies Lake Tahoe is famous for are appearing from behind the clouds.

As of 11:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving, Caltrans has removed chain controls from US50 at Echo Summit but there is a small pocket from Fresh Pond to Sly Park that requires them at this time.

5:00 p.m. Update: Expect a snowy night and slow-moving over roads in the Sierra. Chains controls on US50 are now up starting in Cedar Grove, west of Pollock Pines, at Pioneer on SR88, and above Gold Run on I80.

At this hour, traffic is at a standstill on I80 after multiple spinouts and crashes all the way to the California-Nevada state line.

CHP is also reporting some issues on US50 west of Echo Summit with two spots were cars are off the roadway, as well as SR88 near Christmas Valley.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A potent winter storm is becoming more likely for Thanksgiving Week and the National Weather Service in Reno (NWS - Reno) has issued a Special Weather Statement or the holiday week. Heavy snow is probable for the Sierra starting late Tuesday afternoon and through the day Wednesday. This is a cold storm and will lower snow levels to all valley floors by Tuesday night with accumulating snows possible.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A low-pressure system is likely to bring light snowfall to the Sierra as well as far southern Lyon and far western Mineral counties, mainly above 6500 to 7000 feet, Tuesday night through Wednesday evening.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Quiet weather and light winds continue this holiday weekend with above-average afternoon and seasonal morning temperatures. High
pressure weakens at the end of the week with more cloud cover and cooling daytime
temperatures.

A change in the overall weather pattern is expected in the long term as the ridge of high pressure that has been locked over the west coast for the last few weeks begins to weaken. However, there aren`t any strong signals for precipitation either, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Quiet weather with light winds and hazy conditions continue with above-average daytime temperatures, overnight inversions, and no
precipitation expected through at least the next week.

A high-pressure ridge over the western Pacific will keep the region warm and dry through the foreseeable future - at least through the next week, and most likely the next two weeks according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

The forecast for South Lake Tahoe from NWS Reno:

Monday - Sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind.

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Lake Wind Advisory for Sunday, October 27 from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Winds from the east are expected 15-25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected.

Waves on Lake Tahoe will be 2-4 feet from mid-lake to western shores. Small boats, kayaks, and paddleboards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve.

There are many things that help those living in Lake Tahoe predict what winter will be like: Has the snow in the cross of Mt. Tallac melted? What does the Farmer's Almanac say? Are the squirrels fatter? Is NOAA going to be right in their three-month forecast?

There is no app to give one the perfect insight into what winter has in store and most weather can only be predicted a week out. For generations, people have relied on signs from Mother Nature.