A cold low pressure center will move over western Nevada bringing a better than even chance of rain with snow levels dropping down to Lake Tahoe elevations. A Winter Weather Advisory has been posted for the mountains Thursday morning through Friday morning. Thursday and Friday give us our best shot at precipitation, with the low rotating around a west coast trough for the next week or so. Highs in the 50s Thursday and Friday will slowly rise into the 60s for the weekend, and will remain there until mid-week next.

Courtesy US Coast Guard

So picture this: The boat you’ve gotten out of dry-dock has broken down, and is foundering a mile from shore in Lake Tahoe. You’re wearing a life jacket, and read the first half of this column and convinced yourself that you shouldn’t try to swim for shore. What will increase your chances of surviving long enough to get help?
First of all, if anything is still floating, try to get as far out of the water as possible. The less your body is immersed, the less the heat loss. If that’s not an option, and you are alone, wrap your arms around yourself, cross your legs and pull them up to your chest, closing off water access to your armpits and groin area. If there are others, especially smaller children, do a “group hug”, and huddle close together, keeping the little ones in the middle. Don’t tread water, don’t kick off shoes or other clothes, and don’t move except to signal for help.
Let’s hope you never need it.

Get more at mikealger.net