Weather Service warns of dangerous blizzard conditions in Sierra, heavy snow for Carson City area
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 01/26/2021 - 10:53am
Though the skies around Carson City were blue Tuesday morning, a winter storm is on the way, with various warnings for Lake Tahoe and the Sierra, as well as down to the valley floors around the Carson City area.
The National Weather Service in Reno warns that if you have to travel into the Sierra, do so early Tuesday as conditions will rapidly change Tuesday evening.
The weather service has issued a blizzard warning from 10 p.m. tonight to 4 a.m. Friday for the greater Lake Tahoe area, with 2 to 4 feet expected at lake level and 3 to 6 feet above 7,000 feet, with winds gusting as high as 50 mph in the lower elevations with over 100 mph at times over the ridges, bringing whiteout conditions.
Travel could be near impossible or even paralyzed with near zero visibility through Friday morning, according to the weather service. Strong winds could cause tree damage and power outages. If you risk travel over the Sierra passes, you cloud be stuck in your car for several hours, if not a day. Cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
The weather service advises the storm could pose a life threatening situation for those caught in it, strongly urging motorists not to attempt to travel. Road crews and first responders may not be able to rescue you. Stay indoors until the snow and wind subside. Even a short walk could be deadly if you become disoriented.
The weather service advises that travel will be near impossible at times in the Sierra through Thursday with areas of blizzard conditions, with the worst conditions Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 10 p.m. Tuesday night to 4 p.m. Thursday for the greater Reno, Carson City, Carson Valley areas.
Heavy snow expected for the valley areas, according to the weather service. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches, with 18 to 30 inches above 5,000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph may lead to whiteout conditions. The highest totals are likely to occur in areas west of Highway 395 such as: Verdi, Caughlin Ranch, Somersett, Galena, the west side of Carson City, and along Jacks Valley and Foothill Roads in Douglas County.
The weather service advises that winds may increase as early as Tuesday night in the Carson City area, with snow arriving late tonight into early Wednesday morning. Snowfall accumulations may decrease on some valley floors Wednesday afternoon. A second period of moderate to heavy snow is expected Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
The weather service advises travel conditions will become dangerous possibly late Tuesday night into early Wednesday and again Wednesday night into Thursday morning for the Reno, Carson City and Carson Valley areas, impacting the Wednesday and Thursday morning commutes, as well as the Wednesday evening commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage, power outages and whiteout conditions.
For the valley areas, the weather service advises to avoid travel if possible, you could be stuck in your vehicle for many hours. If you must travel, 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.
Check the latest forecast at weather.gov/Reno and check road conditions with Caltrans and NDOT.
For the latest weather discussion go here. For Carson City area updates see CarsonWeather.com.
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