Carson City area weather: Strong cold front ahead to bring chances of rain and snow showers
Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts as a strong cold front will move through the region this weekend bringing a dramatic change to the weather with breezy winds, a chance rain and snow showers and much colder temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.
Much colder temperatures will move into the Sierra, western Nevada and Carson City region this weekend with daytime high temperatures dropping 15-20 degrees, or more, between Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon. Widespread freezing temperatures are possible early next week with additional rain and snow possible Sunday night and Monday.
For this weekend, a band of rain and snow is expected along the cold front Saturday with light snow accumulations potentially impacting travel over Sierra passes Saturday evening.
Precipitation may be heavy for a brief period, but overall precipitation totals will be on the moderate side (0.1-0.3") as the initial cold front moves through the region quickly. Snow levels will drop rapidly behind the cold front with light accumulations of snow possible down to 5000-6000 feet Saturday night.
Additional relatively low level snow is possible late Sunday into Monday as a secondary front moves into the region. Snow levels could be as low as 4500-5500 feet with this secondary front, but predictability is still low regarding this aspect of the forecast, according to the weather service.
Breezy winds are expected Friday and Saturday, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Gusts will generally be in the 25-35 mph range through much of the region Friday, continuing through Saturday south of I-80. Ridge winds are expected to peak on Friday with ridge winds gusting to around 60 mph. Increased fire weather concerns with the breezy winds are expected to be moderated by cooler temperatures and lower humidities.
Cold air will remain over the region through much of next week. Freezing temperatures will be possible in low-lying valleys by Sunday night with widespread freezes becoming more likely by Monday night as clear skies return.
For the Carson City, Carson Valley and Dayton areas, daytime highs will be in the mid-70s Friday, low 60s Saturday, with overnight near freezing. On Sunday and Monday, highs are expected in the low 50s, with night time lows around freezing with chances of rain and snow showers.
Around the Lake Tahoe Basin, highs will be in the low 60s Friday, low 50s Saturday, and mid 40s Sunday and Monday. There's a chance for rain, turning to snow showers Saturday night through Monday morning.