Storm update: Strong winds, Sierra snow and cold weather return to Carson City region
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 04/11/2022 - 8:53am
UPDATE 3:11PM: As of Monday afternoon, snow is beginning to fall on city streets and has begun to accumulate in the foothills above Carson City. NVroads.com reports chain controls on US-50 from Glenbrook to mile post 1.0 in Carson City; SR-207 from US-50 Junction to Dagget Pass; SR-28 from US-50 Junction to Crystal Bay and SR-431 from State Route 28 to Douglas Fir Drive. Also, vehicles over 9 feet high are prohibited on Old US-395 from Davis Creek Park to Eastlake Boulevard (South) and on I-580 from Old US-395 (Exit 16) to Mt Rose Highway (Exit 24) in Washoe County.
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High winds barreled through the Carson City area Monday morning and will continue through the day, with gusts of 60 mph to 70 mph possible in wind prone areas from Reno to Carson Valley and even higher along Sierra ridges.
A High Wind Warning is underway for much of the region through 8 p.m. The weather service notes damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines and that power outages are anticipated. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
According to the National Weather Service wind tracker, high wind gusts thus far Monday have ranged around 40-plus mph. CarsonWeather.com reports a gust of 45 mph at 11:46 a.m. in Carson City. As of 1:25 p.m. NV Energy reports some power outages in south Reno, north Douglas County in Genoa and near Fallon.
No damage due to winds has been reported, however a trampoline did escape and blow into Charter/Spectrum cable lines in the area of Imperial Way, according to Carson City dispatch.
As for driving conditions in the lower valleys, vehicles over 9 feet high are prohibited on Old US-395 from Davis Creek Park to Eastlake Boulevard and on US-395A from Davis Creek Park to Eastlake Boulevard (South) in Washoe County.
In the mountains, chains are required on at the top of Highway 50 Spooner and SR-207 from US-50 Junction to Dagget Pass. Along with gusty winds, snow is falling and sticking around the higher elevations.
Widespread sub-freezing temperatures tonight into Wednesday will impact pipes, pets, people, and plants. Active weather pattern persists much of the week into the start of Easter weekend.
Below and here is the latest weather discussion from the National Weather Service.
Monday and Tuesday
Changes: No major updates to the short term forecast this morning. High winds, snow, and sub-freezing temperatures all on track to impact the Sierra and western Nevada the next 24-36 hours. High wind warnings, wind advisories and winter weather advisories all remain in place for the storm today.
The late season winter storm has arrived with gusty winds and precipitation already this morning for areas across northern California. Light snow is already spreading across northeastern California with Alturas reporting light snow as of 2 am. The precipitation will continue to spread southward across the Sierra and western Nevada through the day as the cold front passes through.
STRONG WINDS:
Forecast peak winds for the Sierra will be 100+ mph, for the lower valleys, 40-60 mph, and for wind prone areas 80-plus mph. Damaging winds (60+ mph) will impact road/air travel as well as backcountry and lake recreation. Blowing dust, strong crosswinds, low level wind shear, turbulence are just a handful of the impacts we anticipate from winds today. With wave heights of 2 to 4 feet for area lakes, you can plan on hazardous lake conditions too.
SNOW IMPACTS:
Lower Valley Snow — The high sun angle will help to limit accumulations during the day for the lower valleys, but elevated surfaces may have a light coating by early this morning. Showers may contain more of a rain/snow mix for the lower valleys, but best chances for accumulations will be in the foothills above 5,000 feet. Plan on a wet and windy morning commute today through the valleys with travel delays too.
Sierra and Northeast California Snow — From Yuba Pass to Sonora Pass, elevations below 7,000 feet are still on track for 4-8", while elevations above 7000 feet are in the 8-14" range. The potential for embedded thunderstorms remains around 15% with the best chances for Tahoe and Sierra areas. Don't be surprised if there are lightning strikes within heavier snow showers, along with reduced visibilities due to higher snowfall rates this afternoon.
Snow totals for the Sierra in Mono County will be less, but still not too bad with about a 50% chance of accumulations around 12". Mono county communities along US-395 will be contending with the winds more than the snow, but up to 4" may accumulate in favored areas.
Mid-Winter Temperatures: Overnight lows in the teens and 20s will be downright obnoxious behind the cold front tonight. There will probably be a few single digit readings in the Sierra if clouds clear out as well. Great. Brisk north to northwest breezes and lingering snow showers on Tuesday will have us feeling like we're stuck in mid-January. Don't expect daytime high temperatures to get much higher than the 30s and 40s. The widespread hard freezes will take its toll on unprotected irrigation systems and what little blooms that survive the strong winds.
Wednesday to Easter Weekend
Active pattern continues into Easter weekend. Spring continues to hide in the shadows of winter as low pressure systems swing into the Pacific Northwest Wednesday through the upcoming weekend.
The first system will drag a cold front across the region later Wednesday evening into Thursday. Some uncertainty as to the strength and time of this system but ensemble guidance still carries some forcing and moisture that will be directed more across the Sierra north of Lake Tahoe.
Showers will develop later Wednesday afternoon and evening across the northern Sierra and push east and south through the evening with 3-5 of snow accumulating above 6000- 6500 with lesser amounts over lower elevation areas before switching to mostly a mixture of rain/snow showers later in the morning. Reno and lower foothills may see a dusting to an inch (<15% chance) of accumulating snow that will all but disappear later Thursday afternoon. Daytime highs in the 40s will predominate over Sierra valley with 50s for lower valley locations.
Some wind energy will accompany this incoming weather system later Thursday afternoon into the Thursday evening. Gusty westerly winds to 30-40 mph will increase across western NV mostly north of US-50 with a few higher gusts in wind prone areas across western NV and the eastern Sierra. Winds across the Sierra Crest that could top out at 60-70 mph and will bring a bit of chill to those recreating in the higher backcountry.
No sooner than one spring storm exits the region, another one bears down upon us by the coming weekend. This system may be a bit more potent with breezy winds, mountain snow, and lower elevation rain Lower valley afternoon temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s.
A return to near normal spring-like weather is possible by Easter with drier conditions and more seasonal temperatures. Longer range guidance hints at the potential for warmer spring conditions returning early next week.
Check back for updates. For the latest road conditions see NVroads.com.
