Carson City area weather: Potential damaging winds ahead for Monday, Tuesday storm system
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 01/03/2022 - 6:28am
Heading into the first week of 2022 brings the potential for damaging winds, mountain snow, and a few light valley rain and snow showers Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a High Wind Warning for the greater Reno, Carson City, Carson Valley areas and at Lake Tahoe.
The system will produce south to southwest winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph expected. Wind prone locations along US-395, I-580 may see gusts exceed 80 mph at times. Sheltered areas may only see gusts of 25 to 35 mph. The warning is from noon Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday.
The weather service advises damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible and travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. NWS forecasters also note the winds may be make air travel for aviators difficult.
Forecasters say now is the time to secure loose outdoor items such as patio furniture, holiday decorations, and trash cans before winds increase which could blow these items away. The best thing to do is prepare ahead of time by making sure you have extra food and water on hand, flashlights with spare batteries and/or candles in the event of a power outage.
This system is modest in terms of snowfall, however, travel difficulties with snow-covered roads and localized areas of blowing snow are still expected late Monday into Tuesday in the Sierra from Tahoe north, and for the passes of northeast California, according to the weather service.
Daytime highs around the Carson City, Carson Valley area will be gradually warming, according to NWS forecast. Highs Monday and Tuesday will be in the low to mid 40s, near 49 on Wednesday and 50 by Thursday. Overnight lows will be in the low 30s.
Go here or see below the latest weather forecast discussion by NWS meteorologists on the incoming system:
Damaging winds expected in some areas of the Tahoe Basin, far western Nevada, and northeast California today into early Tuesday.
Weather Overview: The core of an upper jet bringing very strong winds aloft, associated with a cold, low-pressure system, moves across northern CA and NV today and tonight. This system will create very strong winds, with damaging winds for some areas, along with some areas of modest snow.
Very strong winds will surface starting today, especially for eastern Lassen County, the Sierra front including Reno-Carson-Minden, and possibly for northern Mono County along Hwy 395. The position of the upper jet, along with computer model signatures for downslope winds, indicate strong potential for damaging wind gusts in the Lee of the Sierra including along the Highway 395 corridor, and even into the Tahoe Basin.
Sierra ridge level winds will exceed 100 mph and could peak between 120-150 mph for exposed crest locations in the Lake Tahoe area. For the valleys of northeast CA (including Tahoe), far western and northwestern NV, and possibly along Hwy 395 in northern Mono County, gusts are expected to reach 50-65 mph, and may rise to 80 mph or more for wind-prone locations along US-395/I-580 from Susanville to Minden.
Of course, as always it is hard to rule out some areas with much lighter winds (as low as 25-35 mph) due to mountain wave eddies and terrain-influenced flow. Farther east into the Basin and Range, expect peak wind gusts generally in the 40-55 mph range near and north of I-80, and generally 25-40 mph south of I-80.
Damaging Wind Probabilities
Surprise Valley, 90 percent
US-395 Susanville-NV line, 80 percent
Tahoe Basin , 75 percent
Reno-Carson-Quad Counties, 70 percent
US-395 along East Sierra, 50 percent
West Central NV, 30 percent
Modest snowfall is expected this afternoon through tomorrow mainly from western Lassen County and northern Washoe county southward to the Tahoe Basin.
Snow Probabilities of 4 inches or more
CA-36 & 44 Lassen County, 95 percent
CA-49 Yuba Pass, 90 percent
I-80 Donner Summit, 75 percent
Tahoe Communities, 25 percent
US-50 Echo Summit, 40 percent
CA-88 Carson Pass, 35 percent
Mono County, 5 percent
Expected impacts from this storm: Tree falls, power outages, aviation delays or cancellations, road restrictions/closures for high profile vehicles along Highway 395, I-580 due to high winds. Those heading over the Sierra and northeast CA passes this afternoon through Tuesday afternoon should be prepared for slick roads, low visibility, and travel delays due to blowing snow.
Rest of this week: After this system passes, Wednesday and Thursday are favoring dry and warmer conditions with highs in the 40s to low 50s. The next system arrives Thursday night-Friday. Ensembles favor light rain/snow totals and gusty winds. Snow in the Sierra looks rather light but could pose some travel delays late Thursday night and Friday.
Check back for updates.
