Carson City area weather: More wind then turning colder with snow showers possible
Strong gusty winds will continue Sunday as a cold low pressure system moves into the region, dropping overnight temperatures below freezing along the valley floors through Wednesday morning with snow showers around Lake Tahoe and Sierra and possibly a few flakes or snow pellets on the valley floors.
According to the National Weather Service, widespread strong winds will continue Sunday, creating some possible travel restrictions, rough conditions on area lakes and blowing dust as the strong cold front pushes through.
A wind advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday for the greater Reno, Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties. The weather service says winds will be out of the southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected.
The winds will be followed by a much colder airmass that will enter the lower valleys, with temperatures plunging 15-25 degrees below normal for the next few days. While there is still some uncertainty due to winds and cloud cover, it is likely there will be frost and freeze concerns through Wednesday morning, NWS forecasters said. Watch those sprinklers and protect any sensitive vegetation ahead of time.
For the lower valleys forecasters said there will be periods of snow and pellet showers along with slight chances for thunderstorms through Tuesday but not much in the way of accumulation. The best chance for accumulating snow in the mountains appears to be Sunday afternoon and evening as the cold front moves in with more scattered showers Monday and Tuesday. Check travel conditions at NVroads.com before heading over the hill.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday for the greater Lake Tahoe area and Sierra. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 10 inches along the Sierra crest including Donner and Echo Summits, and 1 to 4 inches below 7,000 feet with the higher amounts on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 55 mph and waves of 2 to to 4 feet, locally up to 5 feet, on Lake Tahoe. Ridgetop winds will exceed 70 mph at times.
Motorists should plan on slippery road conditions in the mountains. Strong winds could cause tree damage and also reduce visibilities in snow showers. The most likely time for accumulating snowfall is during the evening hours. However, any convective snow showers may produce sufficient snowfall rates to result in an earlier onset for accumulation on the roads.
The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 511 or going to NVroads.com.