winds

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - An active winter weather pattern will prevail through much of next week as a series of progressively stronger winter storms push through the Sierra and western Nevada. A significant winter storm is looking increasingly likely by late Tuesday through at least Thursday according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. Additional waves of moderate to heavy snowfall are possible through next weekend.

Sunday night and Monday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a High Wind Warning in place from 10:00 p.m. Monday to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. The winds begin to increase Monday out of the northeast as a mostly dry low pressure system drops into the region according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. Expect northeasterly flow to ramp up Monday night with damaging winds possible for the Sierra. Temperatures will cool back toward seasonal averages early this week with better potential for precipitation heading into the final week of January.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - High pressure will bring mainly dry conditions and light winds this week to the Lake Tahoe Basin and Western Nevada. Limited ventilation and inversions will develop this week as high pressure remains overhead. Afternoon temperatures somewhat above average early in the week will rise to well above
average mid to late week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno. They said the first chance at some unsettled weather comes after the holiday weekend, though confidence in a big system is low at this time.

The Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee has issued a Backcountry Avalanche Warning for the Greater Lake Tahoe area through 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 5.

The affected area is the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains between Yuba Pass (Hwy 49) on the north and Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4) on the south, including the greater Lake Tahoe area.

Avalanche Danger...HIGH avalanche danger exists today and tonight in the mountains.

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. - The incoming storm on Christmas Day has been upgraded by the National Weather Service (NWS) to a Winter Weathet Advisory. It starts on Friday at 4:00 p.m. and is in effect until 10:00 a.m. Saturday.

Heavy snow is possible. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 8 inches, except 1 foot or more above 7000 feet possible. Exposed Sierra ridge winds could gust to 100 mph or higher.

Travel could be very difficult. Peak snowfall rates expected Friday evening into Saturday morning. Hazardous and slow travel across the Sierra expected during this time.

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.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The new Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Deputy Forest Supervisor Danelle D. Harrison is our guest columnist and looks back, and ahead, to the health of Lake Tahoe

Looking Back

December is a special time of year when our thoughts turn to family and friends, and communities come together to celebrate the season. It also marks the end of the year. And what a year it was. Together, we experienced unprecedented events including a record-breaking wildland fire year in the Pacific Southwest Region.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There hasn't been much precipitation over California and the Sierra since summer but approaching weather systems may change that.

A series of systems through the weekend will break down the persistent dry pattern, with the first bringing increased winds late Thursday afternoon into Thursday night with fire danger concerns for portions of Mono County. Rain and snow chances arrive Friday night and Saturday with a second round Sunday. Another period of gusty winds is looking likely for Sunday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Reno.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Lake Wind Advisory for Lake Tahoe from midnight to 4:00 p.m. Monday, December 7.

Expect east winds on the lake 15-25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Expect waves on the west shore to be the highest, from 2-4 feet. Winds onshore in South Lake Tahoe should be up to 10 mph.

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

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Lake Wind Advisory for Greater Lake Tahoe area including the cities of South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City, Truckee, Markleeville, Stateline, Glenbrook, and Incline Village. It is in effect from 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on November 26.

Winds will be from the east 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph expected with waves 1 to 3 feet.

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

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. - We are already experiencing the winds that are accompanying the latest storm for the Lake Tahoe Basin. The High Wind Warning is in effect until 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Winds are from the south to southwest winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected. There are hazardous boating conditions on Lake Tahoe with waves 3 to 6 feet from mid-lake to north and east shores.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There are two new weather watches issued for the Lake Tahoe Basin this week, but most of the impacts will be above the 6500 foot elevation.

First come the winds. A High Wind Watch is in effect Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Winds will be front the south 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. Stronger wind gusts to 75 mph are possible in Nevada for wind-prone areas along and west of Highway 395 and Interstate 580. Exposed ridges are likely to gust over 100 mph.

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.

6:00 p.m. Update - The Thunder Fire is contained and is in mop-up status thanks to a quick response by local, state and federal firefighters. No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Note: Mop-up means to extinguish or remove burning material near control lines, fell snags, and trench logs to prevent rolling after an area has burned, to make a fire safe, or to reduce residual smoke.

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. - Smoke from the 40-day old Creek Fire is expected to reach the Lake Tahoe Basin Friday with the forecast west winds. The first wave of smoke is expected by dawn Friday and could last until evening. Much of the region could experience widespread haze.

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.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Northeasterly winds will continue to keep smoke out of the region through at least early Tuesday. An area of high pressure will build into the Great Basin leading to warming temperatures and dry conditions through at least next weekend, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.

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.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - The Lake Tahoe Basin is under Red Flag/Critical Fire Weather conditions through 11:00 p.m. Friday.

California is extremely stressed for resources and it is important for residents and guests to understand the dangers these weather conditions present.

With 70-90 mph ridge winds and low humidity values predicted Thursday night into Friday along the crest of the Sierra, any spark could easily become a catastrophic wildfire.