Carson City area weather: Gusty winds, lower temperatures and rain possible this weekend
The last weekend of summer will bring big weather changes for the Carson City region, western Nevada and the Sierra as a storm pushes into the west, bringing periods of gusty winds, a drop in temperatures and chances for precipitation.
A cool down will begin on Saturday and continue through early next week with high temperatures dropping at least 20 degrees by Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The system is expected to bring rain and, the potential for a few snow flakes in the Sierra above 10,000 feet, though accumulation is unlikely.
Best chances for rainfall will be near and north of I-80 Saturday night into Sunday with lighter rain possible south of there. There are low end chances for thunderstorms in northeast California and the northern Sierra Sunday.
Frosts and freezes are possible for outlying rural areas and suburban valleys Monday through Wednesday mornings. Forecasters advise to be sure to cover your sensitive vegetation if you're still enjoying those outdoor gardens.
Strong and gusty winds are anticipated Saturday and especially Sunday, prompting the weather service to issue a High Wind Watch from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening. The weather service advises to expect impacts to air and road travel, choppy lake conditions, and areas of blowing dust.
The watch area includes the Northern Sierra Front including Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Northern and Southern Washoe, Western Lyon, and Far Southern Lassen counties, and the West Humboldt Basin in Pershing County.
Winds will be out of the southwest to west 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Wind prone locations could gust up to 40 mph. Humidity will be between 8 and 18 percent.
The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them, according to the weather service, which advises people to avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation such as yard work, target shooting or campfires.