Kirkwood Mountain Resort & South Lake Tahoe Weather Forecast

Updated: November 19, 2024

Current Weather Overview

An active and wet weather pattern is setting up for the Sierra Nevada region, impacting both Kirkwood Mountain Resort and South Lake Tahoe. A series of storm systems will bring periods of moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow, along with gusty winds over the next several days.

Detailed Forecast

Tuesday, November 19

• Kirkwood Mountain Resort:

  • Weather: Cold morning with low-elevation frost. Increasing clouds throughout the day.

  • High Temperature: Near 40°F.

  • Winds: East wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

  • Precipitation: Rain and snow likely after 4 PM.

  • Snow Level: Starting around 3,000-4,000 feet.

• South Lake Tahoe:

  • Weather: Partly cloudy skies.

  • High Temperature: Around 41°F.

  • Winds: Light winds.

  • Lake Conditions: Wave heights less than 1 foot.

Wednesday, November 20

• Kirkwood Mountain Resort:

  • Weather: Widespread moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow.

  • High Temperature: Mid-40s.

  • Winds: Gusty southerly winds up to 30 mph.

  • Snow Level: Rising from 4,000-5,500 feet.

  • Snow Accumulation: Significant snowfall is expected above 4,500 feet.

• South Lake Tahoe:

  • Weather: Partly cloudy with a chance of morning snow; rain and snow likely in the afternoon.

  • High Temperature: Around 48°F.

  • Winds: Southwest winds 15-25 mph; gusts up to 40 mph.

  • Lake Conditions: Wave heights increasing to 1-4 feet.

  • Advisory: Lake Wind Advisory in effect from 10 PM tonight to 7 PM Wednesday.

Thursday, November 21

• Kirkwood Mountain Resort:

  • Weather: Continued precipitation with rising snow levels.

  • High Temperature: Upper 40s.

  • Winds: Southerly winds with gusts up to 30 mph.

  • Snow Level: Increasing to 7,000-8,000 feet.

  • Precipitation: Moderate to heavy rain; minimal snowfall at resort elevations.

• South Lake Tahoe:

  • Weather: Rain is likely, but snow levels remain high.

  • High Temperature: Upper 40s.

  • Winds: Southerly winds with gusts up to 35 mph.

  • Lake Conditions: Choppy waters expected.

Friday, November 22 - Monday, November 25

• Kirkwood Mountain Resort:

  • Weather: Additional rounds of rain and snow as a more significant storm arrives.

  • High Temperatures: Mid-40s to low 50s.

  • Winds: Strong southerly winds; gusts up to 50 mph over the weekend.

  • Snow Levels:

    • Friday: Around 7,000-7,500 feet.

    • Saturday - Monday: Dropping to 4,000-5,500 feet.

  • Snow Accumulation:

    • Total Expected: Over 1 foot above 5,000 feet through Monday.

    • Probability: 60% to 80% chance of exceeding 1 foot.

• South Lake Tahoe:

  • Weather: Wet and stormy conditions with rain and high-elevation snow.

  • High Temperatures: Upper 40s to low 50s.

  • Winds: Southerly winds gusting 40-50 mph over the Sierra.

  • Snow Levels:

    • Holding around 7,000-7,500 feet from Friday to Sunday.

    • Potential for significant snow accumulation above 7,000 feet.

Marine Forecast for Lake Tahoe

• Lake Wind Advisory: In effect from 10 PM tonight to 7 PM Wednesday.

• Water Temperature: 49.6°F at mid-lake buoys.

• Lake Level at Tahoe City: 6,226.76 feet.

Key Weather Impacts

• Travel: Expect difficult mountain travel conditions due to snow-covered roads, chain controls, and reduced visibility, especially from Wednesday onward.

• Wind: Gusty winds may cause choppy lake conditions, blowing snow, and potential power outages.

• Snow Levels: Initially, low snow levels will rise midweek before lowering again over the weekend, affecting snow accumulations at different elevations.

• Thunderstorms: Isolated thunderstorms are possible starting late Friday into the weekend.

Safety Tips

• For Travelers:

  • Check road conditions before traveling.

  • Carry chains and emergency supplies.

• For Boaters:

  • Exercise caution on Lake Tahoe due to choppy conditions.

• General:

  • Clear storm drains and gutters to prevent flooding.

  • Secure outdoor items that could be blown away by strong winds.

Stay Updated

Weather conditions can change rapidly. Please stay tuned for the latest updates and forecasts.

Enjoy the mountains, and stay safe!