Carson City area weather update: Damaging winds for valleys, Sierra possible through Tuesday
A strong weather system will push into the region Monday night, bringing damaging winds, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a High Wind Warning for Carson City and surrounding counties as well as Lake Tahoe and Sierra.
For the lower valleys, southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected beginning Monday night. Foothills and wind prone locations along Highway 395 could gust up to 80 mph. For Lake Tahoe and Sierra, Gusts between 110 and 130 mph are possible along exposed ridges, and waves 4 to 6 feet are expected on Lake Tahoe.
The weather service advises that the damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines and that widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles and is not advised. Before the winds pick up forecasters say it would be a good time to secure or even bring down bulky Christmas holiday decorations or at least have them secured as they may blow away. It's also a good idea to secure trash cans and any outdoor furniture.
The winds accompany a strong atmospheric river storm moving into the region into early Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Lake Tahoe and the Sierra from 10 a.m. Tuesday until 10 a.m. Wednesday. Widespread impacts also include heavy rain and Sierra snow.
The peak of the wind impacts are expected Monday night into Tuesday morning ahead of the precipitation. The first phase of the storm will have high snow levels with about a 12-hour period of moderate to heavy rain in the Sierra before snow levels drop to Sierra pass levels Tuesday afternoon.
Impacts from snow across the Sierra are expected from early Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning with heavy/wet Sierra cement type snowfall, according to forecasters.
For the Carson City area and western Nevada region, the storm will largely be a rain and wind event with a few inches of snow accumulation possible for foothill areas by Wednesday morning. Some minor urban and poor drainage area flooding is likely during periods of high rainfall rates. Mainstream river flooding, however, is not anticipated but rises are expected, according to the weather service.
After Wednesday more storms are aimed at the region, bringing wind, valley rain and Sierra snow through New Years Day and beyond. For the latest National Weather Service forecast discussion go here.
For road condition updates see NVroads.com or call 511. Check back for updates.