Carson City area weather: Windy, showers and freeze possible before weekend warmup
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 09/20/2023 - 10:31am
Fall-like weather will take over the last days of summer around Carson City and northern Nevada as a strong cold front is expected to bring gusty winds and showers overnight into Thursday as well as cooler temperatures with freezes possible Thursday through Saturday mornings, according to the National Weather Service.
Dry and milder conditions are expected to return for the weekend as the season officially changes from summer to fall on Saturday.
For today, Wednesday, there will be a lingering chance of thunderstorms south of US-50 with a 10 to 20 percent chance for a few afternoon thunderstorms in the valleys and a 25 percent chance near the Sierra crest, according to the weather service.
Winds will be on the increase with west to northwest gusts of 25 to 35 mph, producing some impacts for lake recreation, aviation and road travel for high profile vehicles, according to weather service forecasters. Blowing dust is also possible downwind of the main deserts/sinks/playas of northwest/west central Nevada.
Most of the region will have seasonably warm temperatures during the day, Wednesday, in the lower 80s in western Nevada valleys and lower 70s for Sierra valleys, but areas north of US-50 will start to feel the preview of the cooler temperatures around sunset.
For Wednesday night and early Thursday, showers will likely spread south and east toward the I-80 and US-50 corridors, with rain potential possible across the Tahoe Basin and into the Reno, Carson City, Carson Valley vicinity, NWS forecasters said. Snow levels mainly look to stay near 9,000 feet, but could briefly drop an additional 1,000-1,500 feet if heavier convective showers occur in the Sierra.
Later Thursday rain showers are possible from US-50 southward, west central Nevada near and east of US-95, and far northwest Nevada, forecasters said.
The weather system will bring much colder temperatures Thursday and Friday, ranging from the upper 50s to mid 60s. As skies begin to clear and winds decrease Thursday night, lows are likely to drop below freezing, according to NWS forecasters.
For the typical colder valleys of western Nevada including Carson Valley, Smith Valley, Reno North Valley, forecasters expect to see a 50 to 70 percent chance of lows near freezing both Thursday and Friday nights. The weather service advises people to protect sensitive outdoor plants and vegetation.
Meanwhile, dry conditions will prevail beginning Friday with highs returning to around 80 for western Nevada valleys by Sunday and Monday.
Winds will be generally light through the weekend, then increase Monday ahead of a larger storm approaching the Pacific Northwest that could bring light rain and snow showers to the Lake Tahoe Basin and far western Nevada including the Reno and Carson City areas Monday night or Tuesday.
Check back here for updates to this forecast.
