Carson City area forecast: Unsettled weather this weekend ahead of larger, wetter systems
As we head into the weekend, there's a chance of rain showers in the valleys and high elevation snow showers in the Sierra Friday into Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Though the weather system isn't exactly a large one in typical early January measures, it still could impact travel along the higher passes of the Sierra.
Snow levels are expected to start around 8,000 feet lowering to near 7,000 feet by Saturday morning with around 3-6 inches of snow possible at higher elevations, according to the weather service.
As it stands now, Carson City, Carson Valley and Lyon County areas have about a 20 percent chance of rain this afternoon and 40 percent chance of rain Friday night into Saturday. Friday's high temperatures will be in the upper 50s. Saturday will be around 50.
After a break Sunday, a more significant storm system will affect the region starting midday Monday through early Wednesday. The heaviest rain and snow currently looks to be Monday night into Tuesday. Forecast confidence has increased as model guidance has trended more toward a wetter scenario.
This storm has the potential to produce significant snowfall for higher elevations of the Sierra, but relatively high snow levels are likely limit snowfall for the low to mid elevations of the Sierra.
Passes above 8,000 feet could be impacted beginning Monday evening, with travel likely to become problematic for all Sierra passes Tuesday afternoon/evening into Wednesday morning. For lower elevations of eastern California and western Nevada, periods of rain are possible from late Monday through early Wednesday.
See CarsonWeather.com for the latest graphs, stats and radar.