Sierra winter storm retreats after packing Carson City area with more than a foot of snow
Submitted by Jaedyn Young on Sun, 03/03/2024 - 9:42am
The strong winter storm that pounded the Sierra with several feet of snow and brought 15 to 20 inches to Carson City and lower valleys, has begun to exit the region Sunday.
Chains are required across mountain passes, while local snow removal efforts are underway across Washoe County, Carson City as well as Lyon, Douglas and Storey counties.
Along I-80, National Weather Service forecasters report that Donner Pass could still see up to an additional 18 inches of snow as of around 3 a.m., while the western shores of the Tahoe Basin may have gathered another 12 inches. A blizzard warning is still in effect for Lake Tahoe and neighboring cities, through 4 a.m. Monday morning. Whiteout conditions may occur with near zero visibility at times due to blowing snow. An additional snow accumulations between 6 to 12 inches with isolated amounts up to 18 inches on the crests could occur according to the warning. Winds are expected to be 45 mph in lower elevations and above 100 mph over Sierra ridges with significant drifting of snow.
As of Sunday morning, I-80 over Donner and Mount Rose Highway is closed from Douglas to Incline Village. Chains or snow tires are required on I-580 through Washoe Valley.
For Carson City and neighboring cities including Verdi, Gardnerville, Sparks, and Virginia City, the winter storm warning has expired at 10 a.m. this morning.
On the eastern shores of Lake Tahoe, additional snow totals through early Monday will range one to three inches. Reno, Carson and Minden were expected to see another 0.5 to one inch with a possible burst of up to two inches under heavier convective snow showers, according to forecasters.
Forecasters say the majority of the snow will be from US-50 to the north with Mammoth Lakes maybe adding another one to four inches and iquid equivalent totals will bring another one to 1.5 inches to the Sierra crest north of US-50, only a couple hundredths for leeside valleys and a few tenths up to a quarter of an inch for Mono County.
Roads will become slick and hazardous in the valley floors and travel could still be very difficult, according to NWS. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5-1-1.
