The last days of 2014 in Carson City will be windy, cold with possible snow
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 12/29/2014 - 7:33am
UPDATE: While not packing a lot of moisture, a cold storm system is headed our way beginning late Monday, bringing gusty winds, cold temperatures, and the potential for light snow, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow could begin as early as 8 p.m. Monday night with the main window for snowfall being 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. 1 to 2 inches of snow is expected through the Reno and Carson City areas with 2 to 4 inches south into Minden and Gardnerville. 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected west of Highway 95 near Walker Lake.
The system will likely produce strong northeast winds Tuesday through Wednesday, with the biggest impacts in the Sierra. Gusts to 40 mph are forecast around Lake Tahoe with 80 mph or greater on Sierra peaks above 8,000 feet.
The unusual northeast wind direction could lead to impacts at high elevation ski resorts, and create rough water on Lake Tahoe, especially near the west shore. Weakened trees from earlier wind storms may fall, especially at higher elevations.
Though not record-breaking, cold temperatures are expected Tuesday through New Year’s Day. Wind chills could drop into the -20 to -40 degree range on exposed ridges in the Sierra, -10 to -20 degrees near Tahoe and Mammoth and near zero in Western Nevada valleys both Tuesday and Wednesday night. People outside should plan to take extra precautions and extra layers to protect themselves from these wind chills, according to the weather service.
Carson City and Carson Valley can expect high temperatures Monday around 45, Tuesday, 26, Wednesday, 23, and New Year’s Day, 32. Nighttime lows will be in the low teens and single digits but may be colder with the wind chills. Around Dayton, the highs will be 46 Monday, 29 Tuesday, 26 Wednesday, and 34 New Year’s Day. Nighttime lows will be in the teens and single digits and lower with the wind chill factored in.
As for the potential for snow, a band of snow is possible late this evening into Tuesday. While light snow is possible through the valley floors due to the cold temperatures, the best snow potential are roughly along Highway 395 from Reno south to Carson City, Minden, Markleeville and Bridgeport.
Forecast confidence remains low for snow, however. It is possible this storm could come through relatively dry. It could also yield a few inches of light, powdery snow down to the valley floors and in the Sierra.
If snow does fall, there will be travel impacts to the Tuesday morning commute lasting through much of the day. Plan on allowing some extra travel time. Blowing snow may result in rapidly changing road conditions.
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