Rain, snow return to Carson City Wednesday; Storey, Lyon counties brace for storm

Another round of precipitation is forecast to arrive in Northwestern Nevada starting Wednesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno reports, and last at least through Saturday with a chance of rain or snow showers.

Carson City can expect breezy conditions with increasing clouds Wednesday and a 40 percent chance of rain, the NWS said. A daytime high temperatue of 47 degrees is forecast.

Rain is likely through Wednesday night, possibly turning to snow as the low temperature is forecast to dip into the upper 20s.

Total measurable rainfall of a half-inch or less is forecast, the NWS reports.

The snow level is forecast to start out at about 7,000 to 8,000 feet with accumulations of 6-12 inches in the Sierra Nevada, the NWS reports.

Freezing levels, though, are expected to drop near valley levels by Thursday, though, said the NWS.

Rain and snow likely to begin Thursday, the NWS reports, with precipitation turning to snow. Thursday's daytime high is forecast only to reach about 41 degrees.

Reports from the NWS forecast light snow accumulation in the Carson City area Thursday.

The overnight low into Friday morning is forecast reach 26 degrees with a chance of snow showers throughout the day into Saturday. Daytime highs are expected to reach only into the mid-30s and overnight lows into the mid-20s.

Measurable precipitation Friday in Carson City is forecast to be between 1-3 inches, the Weather Channel reports.

Today is forecast to be mostly cloudy with a high of around 34 degrees, but clearing to mostly sunny for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, as well as on Tuesday. Daytime highs are forecast to reach into the upper 30s through Tuesday, winds calm, and lows between 20 and 25 degrees.

Conditions are dry until the next round of moisture by mid-week, the NWS reports.

Precipitation in the Carson City area for the month of January thus far is measured at 6.57 inches, the NWS reports, and the Carson River has receded back to well below flood stage at 4.3 feet as of Sunday morning.

The next round of precipitation this week is not forecast to be as wet or as severe as last week. The Carson River is expected to remain between four and five feet through the next band of moisture, the NWS reports.

Flood stage of the Carson River is 10 feet.

However, Storey County is bracing for potential problems caused by potentially heavy precipitation moving into the region Wednesday, a press release stated.

The statement said the next storm is forecast to bring heavy rain in the valleys and mountains followed by 18 to 24 inches of snow in the Virginia City and Highlands areas with 40-50+ mile per hour (mph) winds expected.

"(Storey County) Residents are strongly urged use the holiday weekend to prepare for five or more days of transportation, local access and resource delivery problems, as well as extended power outages caused by heavy snow and wind," the press release stated.

The county issued a reminder to area residents to stay home as much as possible during the event; to keep sandbags in place; to stock food, water, medications and wood; have alternative modes of heat; and to clean propane tank regulators.

Sand bag stations remain in operation at the Lockwood and Highlands fire stations, Mark Twain Community Center and Virginia City Ice House east of the Public Works yard, the press release said.

Contact NVFlood17@storeycounty.org and 775-847-INFO (4636) for county updates. School updates are available online at www.storey.k12.nv.us.

In neighboring Lyon County, officials are urging residents to remain prepared for more potential flooding and other problems that may come with the next storm system.

"We have maintained our sandbag locations in anticipation of the upcoming atmospheric river," said Lyon County Manager Jeffery Page. "We are strongly recommending that the public maintain existing sandbag and flood mitigation measures and take advantage of the lull in weather to prepare for the next round."

The public has been asked to use flood@lyon-county.org to email their flood damage reports and culvert issues to Lyon County authorities.

"Tomorrow we will be meeting with NDEM (Nevada Division of Emergency Management) to review flood damage areas and to determine the financial impact to the County," he said. "We will be meeting them at 9 a.m. at CLCFPD (Central Lyon County Fire Protection District) Station 35."