Storm prepares to hit Lake Tahoe and the Carson City region
There's been a lot of hype to this upcoming winter storm that will begin its reaches through the Carson City region later today and tonight with anticipated gusty winds and rain turning to snow.
But with trust in the weather folks at the National Weather Service in Reno and Carsonweather.com, this storm could well be the real deal. In fact a winter storm warning goes into effect at 10 tonight and will last through 10 a.m. Sunday for the Carson City region.
The weather service says we can anticipate 8 to 14 inches of snow on the valley floors, with 1 to 2 feet of snow above 5,000 feet through Sunday morning with locally higher amounts in the foothills.
The weather system will land a year ago to the date of the first significant storm for Carson City, reports Joe Childs of Carsonweather.com. On Nov. 20 2009, .08 of precipitation fell, with a low temperature of 17 degrees and a high wind in Carson City clocked at 60 mph. This weekend's storm, however, is expected to be more intense.
The strong and cold low pressure system will drop into Northern Nevada and California this weekend and will bring heavy snow with it to the Sierra. Cold air and gusty winds will produce a powdery snow with the potential for local blizzard conditions in the Sierra, especially over mountain passes and exposed locations Saturday afternoon and Saturday night, according to the weather service.
Travel in the Sierra will be dangerous with significant delays and possible road closures. Motorists should consider adjusting travel plans to avoid driving through the Sierra this weekend, according to the weather service.
As for the timing of the storm, snow will begin this afternoon in the Sierra and continue through Sunday or Sunday night. Periods of heavy snow will affect the Tahoe basin late tonight through Saturday morning and Saturday night.
Snow accumulations of 3 to 5 feet of snow may occur above 7,000 feet and 1 to 2 feet will occur below 7000 feet with higher amounts up to 3 feet possible below 7000 feet along the west shore of Lake Tahoe. The storm's arrival is timed with a number of Lake Tahoe area ski resorts preparing to open this weekend.
Winds will be from the southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Ridge gusts up to 100 mph.
Considerable blowing snow and local blizzard conditions are possible Saturday afternoon and Saturday night.
Click here for current road weather information from the Nevada Department of Transportation. Click here for Nevada road conditions. For statewide road conditions by telephone call: 511 within Nevada, or 877-NV-ROADS (877-687-6237) outside Nevada
Be sure to check with Carsonweather.com for the very latest on the storm and follow Twitter feeds from Carsonweather.com and Carson Now for road and traffic challenges.
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