Carson City area weather: Storm bring strong winds, snow, slick roads and spinouts
UPDATE 2:30PM: There's an 8-vehicle pileup on Highway 50 West Spooner in the eastbound lane below Golf Club Drive. No injuries were reported. Another spinout related crash was reported near the pileup, also in the eastbound lane. Motorists are advised not to drive up the hill due to slick conditions.
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UPDATE 2:15PM: Carson City Sheriff's dispatch reports multiple fender bender accidents around town as well as along Highway 50 West and East. Motorists are urged to slow down due to conditions. Sanders and plows have been dispatched to heavily traveled areas.
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A strong system moving into the region Thursday has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning for Lake Tahoe and Sierra and a Winter Weather Advisory for the Carson City region.
For the Reno, Carson City and Carson Valley region, snow is expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches are possible above 5,000 feet. In the lowest valleys including the Reno and Carson City area, accumulations of a 1/2 to 2 inches are possible. Winds will be gusting as high as 65 mph.
The Winter Weather Advisory is from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday. Travel could be very difficult, especially during commute times. The hazardous conditions will impact the evening commute with low visibility and slick road conditions. Strong winds could cause tree damage.
At 11:08 a.m. on Thursday CarsonWeather.com recorded a wind gust of 53 mph.
Even light snowfall causes major travel delays, especially during periods of high traffic volume. Be sure to allow extra time to reach your destination. Leave extra space between vehicles since it takes longer to stop on slick roadways.
Meanwhile, heavy snow and strong winds will continue at Lake Tahoe and Sierra where there is a Winter Storm Warning. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, except 10 to 18 inches above 7,000 feet with up to 24 inches along the Sierra crest. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph with ridge wind gusts over 100 mph.
The warning runs now through 10 p.m. Thursday evening. Travel could be very difficult and is not advised. Very strong winds could cause tree damage and periods of white out conditions, according to the weather service.
The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 511 or logging onto NVRoads.com.