Carson City area weather: Slight chance of light snow in the valleys Christmas Day
Heading into the holidays, the National Weather Service says we may see a slight chance of light snow sometime Christmas Day and below average temperatures for the rest of week, with additional weak storms possibly producing light snow accumulations and slick roads at times.
A large scale trough over the region will bring slightly below average temperatures, generally light winds, and continuing chances for light snow to the region through the next few days.
A few continuing light showers will remain possible Tuesday right along the Sierra crest, with most other areas seeing a break in the precipitation and maybe even a little sunshine before another round of light snow showers becomes possible Wednesday.
So, the main forecast question, who will see a white Christmas? Maybe, forecasters say. A short wave is expected to move through the backside of the trough with another splitting low pressure forecast to move into the central California coast on Wednesday. This means the best chances for precipitation will continue to be right along the Sierra crest with chances dropping quickly east of the Sierra, according to the weather service.
With a broad trough overhead, temperatures and therefore snow levels, should be quite low, so any precipitation that falls on Christmas should be snow even down here in the low valleys of western Nevada, according to the weather service.
The chances of snow Christmas Day are as follows: Sierra and Carson range, 60 to 70 percent, western Nevada, 20-40 percent, Mono County 50 to 70 percent, Basin and Range, 1 to 20 percent.
Clearing skies, cool temperatures and light easterly flow are expected for Thursday as the splitting low pressure is forecast to move into southern California and the Baja peninsula.
Looking ahead, migratory high pressure will be in place Friday and Saturday with moderately strong inversions each morning limiting mixing. Temperatures will be seasonably cold with morning lows in around 10 degrees for Sierra valleys and low 20s for western Nevada valleys, according to the weather service.
Then, a quick-moving low is expected to drop southward through the central valley of California. This position and system speed are not favorable for heavy precipitation totals for western Nevada and the Sierra, but some light snow accumulations could occur.
National Weather Service models have varied on position of the low, but have been consistent with the speed. Position will have implications on precipitation totals especially in the Sierra, and could impact post holiday travel. Best advice would be to check back with the forecast later and plan for at least some impacts to those with travel plans Sunday.
Another weak migratory high should follow with ridging amplifying in the eastern Pacific. This pattern would favor weaker, fast moving systems for the first days of 2020. For road information call 511 or go to NVRoads.com.