Carson City area weather: Atmospheric river to bring heavy wet snow and rain to valley floors
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 01/08/2023 - 11:57am
A series of winter storms this week is expected to bring heavy wet snow and rainfall in the lower valleys and several feet of snow to the Sierra, prompting a number of National Weather Service watches and warnings for the region.
With a strong atmospheric river expected to arrive early Monday and the uncertain nature of snow levels during the duration, the weather service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the greater Reno, Carson City, Carson Valley and Virginia City areas. The watch is in effect from late Sunday night through Tuesday afternoon.
As the early Monday storm wave arrives, forecasters expect snow levels will start at all valley floors that will affect the morning commute, with an inch or more possible in the Reno, Carson City and Carson Valley areas, up to 4 inches above 5,000 feet. Snow levels are are expected to then rise to 5,500 to 6,500 feet for a time on Monday afternoon and evening before falling back to 4,000 to 5,000 feet through Tuesday.
However, forecasters caution that there remains a chance that snow will be the primary precipitation type for a longer part of the day on Monday.
"For the valley early Monday morning; it could be messy with a rain snow mix or periods of wet snow," said National Weather Service Meteorologist Mark Deutschendorf. "As we get later into the morning into the day time hours, in some areas the snow may turn to rain, which may become heavy and lead to some flooding along poor drainage areas. As we get later into Monday afternoon and evening, we could see a change back to snow in some of the valleys and then Tuesday morning into early afternoon, one more round of snow is possible."
Snow accumulations of up to 4 inches in the lower valleys, 4 to 8 inches above 5,000 feet and in some areas above 6,000 feet, including cities like Virginia City, up to 2 feet of snow is possible through the Monday and Tuesday duration.
Because of this uncertainty and variation of snow levels, urban and small stream flooding will remain possible in the lower valleys, especially where there is poor drainage from current debris and snowpack. The severity of flooding will be highly dependent on the variation of snow levels and precipitation rate during this time.
While the incoming atmospheric river won't have as potent of moisture content associated with the New Year's storm, the nature of it and the potential for it being primarily a snow event for the lower valleys, is cause for concern.
NV Energy says it has brought in fleets of line crews from throughout the Silver State, Oregon and Utah to prepare for upcoming storms.
“These extra crews, when added to our existing NV Energy teams, more than triple the strength of our outage response, and help ensure we have every resource available to minimize the number and duration of outages that could result from the upcoming winter storm,” said Doug Cannon, NV Energy President and Chief Executive Officer in a statement last week.
Forecasters advise people should prepare an emergency kit for homes and car and to keep their phone batteries charged. 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.
At Lake Tahoe and Sierra
Meanwhile, heavy snow will continue at Lake Tahoe and Sierra, where a Winter Storm Warning is in effect until early Wednesday morning.
Forecaster say an expected break in the snow will happen from noon until later Sunday night before heavy wet snow return with the atmospheric river. For Monday through Tuesday night, 6 to 18 inches is possible at lake level and 2 to 5 feet above 7,000 feet, according to the weather service. Localized areas of 5-plus feet is possible along the Sierra crest west of Lake Tahoe. Wind gusts up to 50 mph with ridges gusting 100-160 mph. Waves up to 4 feet on Lake Tahoe. The weather service has also issued a backcountry Avalanche Watch for the greater Lake Tahoe area.
Travel could be very difficult to impossible and is not advised. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage. Wind and waves may capsize small vessels.
The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 511 or going to NVroads.com.
