Heavy snow prompts Winter Storm Warning for Reno, Carson City and Carson Valley
UPDATE 3PM: NV Energy reports thousands without power Saturday from outages reaching from Washoe County, Carson City to Douglas County and into Lyon and Storey counties. See the latest here.
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A transition from rain to snow for the lower valley areas that wasn't supposed to happen until later Saturday happened and in a big way too, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning for Reno, Carson City and Carson Valley areas.
In what had originally been forecast as a winter weather advisory that was to kick in Saturday afternoon, even caught NWS forecasters by surprise with snow accumulating on all valley floors from Reno, Washoe Valley, Carson City and Carson Valley. A Flood Advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. Sunday morning for the region.
A Winter Storm Warning already exists for the Lake Tahoe Basin and Sierra through at least 4 a.m.
"The rain is all turning over to snow and will continue as snow showers throughout the day," said NWS meteorologist Colin McKellar.
Because the snow has started early, and it is heavy and wet, accumulation are expected to be 4 to 8 inches, except 12 to 18 inches above 5,000 feet. Locally higher amounts are possible in the more prolonged bands of snow. The warning is until 4 a.m. Sunday.
Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The weather service advises people to avoid travel if possible but if travel can't be put off, people should prepare for long delays and carry an emergency kit with extra food, water and clothing. If you stay home, have a backup plan in case of power outages.
The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1 or going to NVroads.com.
Check back for updates.