The beginning of spring (the vernal equinox occurs 9:30 pm Saturday night) will certainly stay true to the season. Mostly sunny skies in the morning will give way to a few afternoon clouds, but high temperatures will likely climb into the lower 70s. But the first full day of spring will see the ridge breaking down and the winds picking up ahead of a series of weak to moderate storm systems. There is a slight chance of a few rain showers late Sunday afternoon, although initially the rain shadow should keep most of the activity up in the mountains. Snow levels on Sunday will begin quite high, likely above 8,500’, and will subsequently lower to near Lake Tahoe by Monday, with scattered showers possible both in the mountains and the valleys.

Another storm moves through Tuesday, dropping snow levels farther, but still likely just above the valley floors. Temperatures will see a steady decline, from the 70s Saturday to the 60s Sunday, the mid-50s Monday and close to the 40s by Tuesday. The rest of the week will dry up and gradually warm back up to the low 60s.