Lake Tahoe Weather - T'Storms A Reality?
 

Leaving Sat for trip. Checked weather.com which forecasts several days w/isolated t-storms (listed at only 30% chance).

Based on real experience in the area, is this something we should consider when planning activities? In the NE, storms are more assured with 50%+ chance ratings...

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

We were up in Truckee several weeks ago. The T-storms usually form in the later afternoon. I usually see what it looks like in the am, then go from there. If the am is clear, take you chance while you can.

Have fun!!

MY

If it gets really hot in the central valley the t storms really build in the afternoon - after 3:00. We have found that for the most part we have avoided nearly all of them because we stay on the west side (Meeks Bay, Chambers Landing) and they don't usually take over there like they do in south shore or on the east side.

T-storms are pretty common - but don't worry. They are not massive gully washing thunderstorms like in the Midwest. Often they blow over as fast as they came in. And after they blow over towards Reno the air around the lake smells so fresh - they are really neat actually.

Unfortunately - what it looks like in the a.m. usually has no bearing on what happens at 4:00 p.m. Like Suzie says, they tend to be worse to the NE and S ends of the lake.

They can come up pretty fast so if you are out in the boonies hiking etc. just keep an eye on the sky. As others say, they usually come up in the mid to late afternoon. Also, it can be VERY dangerous if you are out on the lake. The lake gets VERY rough and of course if lightening is around, not good. We haven't had a lot of thunder storms lately. A couple of weeks ago we had some doozies.

Looks like they're pretty likely this weekend. Lots of clouds are building up along the crest. Tomorrow is forecast to be more of the same.

When in Tahoe this weekend, you might want to check out the Concours d'Elegance -- a wooden boat show in Carnelian Bay. It is today (Friday 8/4/06) and tomorrow.

If you are in Carnelian Bay stop in at Garwoods for yummy food out on the deck or just refresh with a Wet Woody (drink) ;)