Carson City weather: Valley wind, snow and rain this week, with several feet of snow in the Sierra
A potent lake effect snowfall band continues to develop Monday across Lake Tahoe and extends along Highway 50 through Carson City and as far east Dayton and Virgina City. It's a part of an active weather pattern that will be around through the week that could bring several feet of snow to the Sierra, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow showers are expected to persist Monday afternoon with snow covered roads and chain restrictions continuing through the Sierra.
The Lake effect snowbands can produce heavy snowfall rates of 2-3 inches an hour. This combined with gusty winds up to 40-45 mph can produce sudden whiteout conditions with near zero visibility in blowing snow. The weather service estimates 1 to 2 inches of snow is possible Monday afternoon in Carson City due to the lake effect snow.
A stronger storm arrives Tuesday night and Wednesday that could bring heavier snow, with a rain and snow mix in lower elevations by Wednesday afternoon. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Reno, Carson City, Carson Valley, Dayton and Virginia City areas with scattered snow showers are expected tonight, snow likely on Tuesday with 4 to 6 inches possible with rain or snow likely Wednesday and rain and snow showers Thursday.
For Lake Tahoe and Sierra, the weather service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 4 p.m. Thursday.
Widespread snow showers will continue today into Tuesday morning. Snow will become heavy at times Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday night in the Sierra.
With this next round, snow accumulations are projected to be 5 to 10 inches with 10 to 20 inches west of Highway 89 to the Sierra crest, with 10 to 15 inches in the Northern Carson Range near Mount Rose, according to the weather service.
Through Wednesday night, snow could be 12-18 inches at lake level with 2 to 3 feet of snow above 7,000 feet.
Snow will cause sick roads with chain and snow tire restrictions in place. Gusty winds could cause areas of low visibility due to blowing snow with white out conditions at times.
Another weather system may affect the entire region by the weekend, according to the weather service.
Check the latest forecast at weather.gov/Reno and check road conditions with Caltrans and NDOT.
For the latest weather discussion go here. For weather updates for Carson City, see CarsonWeather.com.
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