Strong winds return to Carson City region Tuesday, valley rain and Sierra snow to follow
Another round of gusty winds will return to the Carson City region Tuesday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a High Wind Watch for valley and mountain areas and a Winter Storm Watch for the greater Lake Tahoe area.
Forecasters say winds are shaping up to be as strong, if not stronger than what was experienced Friday.
South winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible from Tuesday morning through Tuesday afternoon. Preliminary estimates for gusts are running 45-60 mph along the Sierra Front, but could be higher for the foothills, where down-sloping would be a greater factor.
Stronger wind gusts to 75 mph are possible in Nevada for wind-prone areas along and west of Highway 395 and Interstate 580. Exposed ridges are likely to gust over 100 mph.
The wind watch area extends to the greater Lake Tahoe area, Reno, Carson City and Carson Valley areas.
The strongest winds will be along US-395 south of Susanville through Mono County, I-580 between Reno and Carson City, US-50 west of Lahontan Reservoir, and west of US-95 south.
Impacts to high-profile vehicles are expected, as well as turbulence and wind shear for aviation. There is some potential for damage to trees, fences, and power lines as well, according to the weather service.
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon above 6,500 feet. Mountain snow is expected Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday, with heavy, wet snow accumulations for the Sierra passes especially around Lake Tahoe.
Heavy, wet snow is possible above 6,500 feet. Total snow accumulations of up to 6 inches between 6,500 and 7,000 feet, with 12 to 18 inches above 7000 feet, possible, forecasters say. Peak snowfall rates likely late Tuesday through Wednesday morning. Locations below 6,500 feet could see between nothing and 3 inches of snowfall, mainly late Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Rain is expected in the valleys beginning Tuesday and lasting through Wednesday with a slight chance of rain Thursday, according to the weather service
If you have travel plans over the Sierra, be prepared for winter driving conditions.
- Carson City
- $12
- 000
- 395
- Afternoon
- Aviation
- carson
- City
- county
- Driving
- FRIDAY
- highway
- Highway 395
- Lahontan Reservoir
- Lake
- Morning
- mountain
- National Weather Service
- Nevada
- News
- rain
- Rates
- running
- service
- Sierra
- Snow
- south
- strong
- tahoe
- travel
- Trees
- weather
- weather service
- Wednesday
- wind
- Winter
- Carson Valley
- Lake Tahoe
- reno