• Carson Now on Facebook
  • Follow Carson Now on Twitter
  • Follow Carson Now by RSS
  • Follow Carson Now by Email

Carson City area weather: Valley rain this weekend, heavy snow for Sierra

With a weekend of Christmas holiday events across the Carson City region, it looks like Mother Nature will be active with valley rain beginning late Friday and feet of snow in the Sierra through Sunday.

After a brief break in the weather, dense fog is expected to linger into Friday morning, with a stronger weather pattern to arrive later Friday and continue over the weekend. Gusty winds may push some of the fog out of the valleys by Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

The upcoming storm will bring another round of valley rain and heavy wet snow to the high Sierra. For Carson City, which is hosting its Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights early Friday evening downtown, the timing of the system, for now at least, is later in the evening, which is good news for holiday revelers. Carson City activities run from around 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday evening.

"Early Friday evening it will probably be breezy with a chance of some light rain showers, but the bulk of the storm won't be coming in until later in the evening, probably after 10 p.m. and then into Saturday afternoon and evening," said National Weather Service Forecaster Edan Weishahn.

The system is expected to bring valley rain through Saturday, with snow in the higher elevations, she said. As snow levels fall late Saturday afternoon into Sunday, some snow accumulation is possible for the foothills as well and maybe a chance for the lower valley floors.

If you have plans to travel through the Sierra this weekend, make sure to watch the weather forecast closely and be prepared for travel delays across the Sierra.

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning for the Sierra and greater Lake Tahoe area. The storm could produce snow accumulations of 1 to 3 feet above 7,000 feet with locally higher amounts possible. Depending on the snow levels, elevations between 5,500 to 6,500 feet could see accumulations of a few inches up to 2 feet.

Communities below 5,500 feet may receive under 2 inches of snow early Sunday morning with gusty winds possible. Total snow accumulations of up to 14 inches, except 1 to 3 feet above 7000 feet, and up to 20 inches west of Highway 395 is possible. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph.

Snow levels are currently forecast to hover near many pass elevations, so impacts could vary dramatically within just a few hundred feet of elevation. The most likely time for accumulating snow in Northeast California will be late Saturday into Sunday. For the latest travel and road conditions, call 511 or go to NVRoads.com.

The weather service advises to prepare an emergency kit for your home and car. If traveling consider alternate plans, remember to carry tire chains, extra food, water and clothing. Once the storm arrives, travel may be difficult or impossible for an extended period of time.

There will be some clearing after the storm leaves the region by late Sunday, according to the weather service.

"For those who are tiring from the active weather we are looking for a little bit of a break after this storm," said Weishahn. "It does look like we will quiet down a bit after Sunday, without any large storms on the horizon."

Top Stories

... or see all stories

The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the state’s contentious “ghost gun” ban, reversing a lower court’s ruling that the law banning the sale of unfinished frames and receivers of a firearm was unconstitutionally vague.

By state law, once Carson City’s population reaches 60,000 residents, they will be mandated to create a new courtroom complete with a new judge and staff.

However, that comes with a price tag of at least $800,000 in staffing alone — and doesn’t include the price to expand the courthouse.

Reno Tahoe Comedy is proud to present Bobcat Goldthwait at Piper's Opera house in Virginia City on Saturday, April 27. Since his first appearance on the David Letterman Show at the age of 20, Bobcat has gone on to maintain a thriving career as a writer, director, actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian.

The Nevada State Prison Preservation Society is once again offering tours to the community beginning in May and continuing through the month of October.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Carson City will host its first "Walking as One at 1" labyrinth walk on Saturday, May 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at 314 N. Division at Telegraph.

"Walking as One at 1" happens on World Labyrinth Day each year where participants across the globe engage in a labyrinth walk at 1 p.m. local time. This synchronized practice creates a 24-hour rolling wave of peaceful energy that passes from one time zone to the next across the world. The idea is to collectively contribute to a sense of unity and harmony.

The Carson City School District will host a quarterly Community Connections event next week, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 5:45-7:30 p.m. at Carson High School.

Carson Animal Services Initiative, also known as CASI, welcomes the community to enjoy an evening of great music, delicious food and wonderful live and silent auction items to support animals in need.

Earlier this month it was announced that Carson City’s Burlington Coat Factory would be closing. Rumors of a potential Hobby Lobby taking its place have now been substantiated.

The popular craft store applied for a permit for the location Wednesday, according to the Carson City Planning Division.

MINDEN — The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that it has published preliminary copies of the revised Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study report for Douglas County and incorporated areas. These materials are available for public viewing on FEMA's website.

Hello fellow anglers. Yes, it is that time of year for the California opening day fishing season. This year we actually will have an opening day. Last year with our excessive snow pack, we were not able to get on many rivers until mid summer due to runoff.

Carson City Fire Department and multiple agencies will host the 2nd annual wildfire education and preparedness workshop for the community Tuesday, April 30.

Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week is Macy, a 6-year-old gal who has been at our shelter since the end of January. She was surrendered because her owner could no longer have animals.

Nevada State Museum staff invite all to contribute to a bee hotel this Saturday, April 20 as they celebrate Earth Day in Carson City. Participants are encouraged to contribute to the bee hotel, a nesting place for solitary bee friends, and learn about other ways you can help native pollinators.

Drawing on humor splashed with insight, nationally recognized syndicated cartoonist Brian Crane, also known as “Mr. Pickles,” packed the house as guest speaker Tuesday at the Carson City Senior Center.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office would like to provide some tips related to online safety for juveniles. It is important for parents to know how to set up their children’s devices for several reasons.

Carson Area MPO

Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has posted a draft "Local Road Safety Plan" for public review and comment. A Local Road Safety Plan is a method for developing a locally tailored framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements.

While waiting in line I always carry along a little Kipling, mainly to call upon this one little snippet to sustain me, “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting.” I do love his epic little poem, “If.” That poem has helped me to maintain my balance on more occasions than I can count.

The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum in historic Virginia City is pleased to announce the much-anticipated third annual Victorian Tea Party and Historic Fashion Show, scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is proud to announce the addition of two new K9 teams. Our latest additions have just completed K9 school and are now deployed to the Patrol Division of the Sheriff’s Office. The addition of these two K9s maintains our service of seven dog teams, as we continue toward our organizational goal of eight K9 teams to provide full-time coverage for the Carson City community.

Lane reductions will take place Fridays through Mondays on U.S. 50 in Dayton beginning Friday, April 19 as the Nevada Department of Transportation replaces concrete barrier rail in the highway median.

The four Douglas County School District board members who have been front and center through controversy since being elected in November 2022 all pulled out of a decision to accept a settlement agreement on a Writ of Mandamus during their meeting last Tuesday.

The 42nd annual Chili on the Comstock returns to heat up Virginia City on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. As a qualifier for the International Chili Society World Finals, guests can indulge in a diverse array of chili styles, from spicy to mild and chili verde, all expertly crafted by some of the finest chili cooks in the West.

The next Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Bob Crowell Boardroom of the Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street.

Two were arrested Monday for possession of stolen personal and business checks amounting to more than $555,000, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around the capital city.

Carson City Sheriff's Office deputies made four arrests on Monday for warrants and one arrest for alleged possession of drug paraphernalia, according to booking reports.

Common Ground Church Youth Group did volunteer work at Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City on Saturday to wrap lilac bushes with wire fencing in order to protect them from deer.

Carson City will be front and center Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18, when it hosts the 2024 NIAA State Track & Field Championships at the Jim Frank Track Complex at Carson High School. The two-day event will draw more than 1,000 athletes (from four different classifications) and countless fans and spectators from across the state to the capital city.

Photo courtesy of Friend of the Nevada State Railroad Museum

The Carson City Historical Society hosts Adam Michalski, who will present a talk called "The Railroad and Carson City," on Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Carriage House behind the Foreman-Roberts Historic House located at 1207 Carson Street, Carson City.

Carson City Community Development Director Hope Sullivan encourages all residents, business owners, and visitors to participate in the Land Use Master Plan Update Virtual Meeting on Thursday, April 18, at 5 p.m. More information about access to the meeting can be found at envisioncarsoncity.org.