Carson City weather: Windy with valley rain, Sierra snow through Wednesday
Stormy weather returns to Carson City and surrounding counties this week with valley rain, a slight chance of freezing rain and high-elevation snow through Wednesday. There's also a potential for more systems to arrive around Christmas.
National Weather Service forecasters say there is a chance Monday morning for freezing rain and sleet in western Nevada valleys and into the foothills, especially along US-95 around Fallon. The window of opportunity for freezing rain to impact the area is anywhere between 3 a.m. to 10 a.m., with the potential for slick roadways for the morning commute.
The weather service advises that people should make plans to get up a bit earlier Monday to check road conditions for any delays. Roads will become slick with just a bit of rain, "so make sure to keep a safe driving distance as well, no matter where you travel," weather service forecasters note in the latest local forecast discussion.
The incoming storm system will begin with some windy conditions that will increase through Monday, bringing gusts 60-80 mph to Sierra ridges. A Lake Wind Advisory is in effect for the Lake Tahoe area from 7 a.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Western Nevada valleys could see some 20-30 mph gusts, but limited downsloping winds. They will become more intermittent as the showers spillover, eventually tapering Monday night into Tuesday, NWS forecasters said.
Precipitation types may vary and cause impacts above 7,000 feet and rise to near 8,500 feet by early evening. Between these levels, a rain, snow mix as well as freezing rain may be possible during Monday morning's commute, possibly into late morning for some areas.
Below 7,000 feet should see mostly rain, but forecasters are not ruling out an isolated cold pocket seeing variable precipitation types, such as freezing rain, as well.
Above 8,500 feet should see mostly snow, although southern Mono County could see snow levels as high as 9,000 feet toward Monday night. Snow totals for this first round will be greatest for the Sierra in Alpine and Mono counties, with a 60 to 70 percent chance for up to 6 inches above 9,000 feet. For liquid amounts, this translates to about 2 inches of snow water equivalent in the Sierra.
Western Nevada valleys are looking for a 60 to 70 percent chance for picking up 0.25 of an inch of liquid through Wednesday. Overall, this water will be beneficial to water year totals, as of now the region is around 40 percent of the December average, forecasters note.
Weather models at this time show position and timing will dictate the outcome impacts from a storm coming up through the south, but models suggest a 23 to 30 percent chance for showers in the Sierra around Friday and Saturday, Dec. 22-23.
Meanwhile, Dec. 25-29 weather models are indicating moderate to heavy snow, but at this time, confidence remains low. See NVroad.com for the latest road conditions.