Carson City area weather: Cold temperatures prompt 'Freeze Watch' Thursday into Friday for lower valleys
The National Weather Service has issued a "Freeze Watch" from Thursday evening through Friday morning for the greater Reno, Carson City, Carson Valley areas as well as southern Lyon and Northern Washoe counties. Forecasters say these areas can expect sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 degrees.
The weather service advises people to take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
Much colder weather will return to western Nevada and the Sierra this week, with temperatures dropping 20 to 25 degrees below normal Thursday and Friday, along with periods of mountain snow and valley rain, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say the changes will move into the region Wednesday night into Thursday, bringing decent chances for a round of wetting rains to lower elevations and light snow to Sierra locations. More on the Freeze Watch can be found here.
Here is the latest forecast discussion issued Wednesday morning from the National Weather Service in Reno.
Winds increase today becoming gusty ahead of late Spring storm that will bring rain to western Nevada and light accumulating snow to the Sierra and northeast California tonight into the weekend.
Temperatures trend much colder by Thursday morning with potential for sub freezing morning lows. After a brief break in weather early next weak, more active weather is possible.
Main changes were related to increasing precipitation chances with incoming weather late this evening and over tonight. Otherwise, the forecast remains on track for a late season storm to bring gusty winds, rain, Sierra snow, and colder temperatures to the region.
Winds: Hazardous lake conditions and periods of difficult driving conditions for high profile vehicles will be likely by late morning today. Widespread westerly gusts of 30-40 mph with localized gusts to 45 mph will be possible as a the pressure gradient tightens ahead of a strong cold front that will move through the region. These speeds could begin in the morning hours today.
Winds turn northerly behind the front tonight with breezy, brisk conditions remaining for Thursday; gusts to 25-35 mph. Breezes continue Friday but to a lesser extent.
Snow: Snow levels fall to around 5000 ft, except 4500 ft for Plumas/Lassen/northern Washoe counties late tonight through early Thursday morning. In general, up to 3 inches will be possible for these same locations and could create slick road conditions especially along CA-44 and Highway 395 north of Susanville.
Isolated locations could see some enhanced amounts along peaks, up to 6 inches for higher terrain through Friday.
Showers/Thunderstorms: Lower elevations can expect periods of showers starting late tonight and continuing through the remainder of the week. Best chances of thunderstorms will be each afternoon.
Cold Temperatures: After a warm day today, colder temperatures will occur Thursday morning with sub freezing lows expected outside of urban centers of western Nevada and hard freezes for Sierra valleys.
This weekend
The cold upper low will persist across the Sierra and western NV Saturday and then slowly pull away Sunday. As such, expect another unseasonably cool day Saturday with scattered showers and a few stronger cells in the afternoon, capable of thunder and pellet showers.
By Sunday, temperatures will warm but still be 5-10 degrees below average with isolated showers lingering across west central and northwest NV. Each day will continue to start out rather chilly with frost or freezes in Sierra valleys and some of the typically colder western NV valleys as well. A lot will depend on cloud cover and where breaks occur.
Check the latest forecast at weather.gov/Reno and check road conditions with Caltrans and NDOT. For Carson City area updates see CarsonWeather.com.