August 19, 2011     

Tahoe's weekend is shaping up to be a nice one, weather-wise. Temperatures should be a just a few degrees above normal, thunderstorms will probably not be a problem, and winds will remain light other than some afternoon gusts on the lee side of the mountains.

A ridge of high pressure centered near the Four Corners area is moving to the east, and a trough of low pressure off the Pacific Coast is likely to slide over the Sierra as the ridge recedes. At first this will bring some moisture to the far Northern Sierra and the Southern Cascades, with thunderstorms possible near Mt. Lassen. But we should see only increasing cumulus clouds around Tahoe with very little threat of rain or even thunder.

That could change by early next week as the trough moves in and the level of moisture in the air begins to increase. We'll see a higher threat of thunderstorms by Tuesday that will carry through for much of the week.

For now, though, enjoy a warm, dry weekend.