With another brief storm system moving into the region, Carson City may see some actual snowfall later Wednesday night into Thursday morning, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Weather Advisory for the lower valleys.
Snow accumulation of 2 inches is possible with localized amounts up to 4 inches possible, forecasters said. Gusty winds of up to 35 mph can also be expected. The Winter Weather Advisory is from 9 p.m. Wednesday night to 7 a.m. Thursday morning.
For Lake Tahoe and Sierra, no winter weather watch or warning hasn’t been issued at the time of this writing. There is, however, a Lake Wind Advisory from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday. Westerly ridge gusts Wednesday will reach upwards of 70-plus mph around Tahoe peaks, while western Nevada lee-side valleys will see gusts of 25 mph to 30 mph.
Narrow, higher-intensity snow bands may develop, leading to rapid accumulations in a short window of time and sudden reductions in visibility. Forecasters advise to plan on slippery road conditions, which could impact the Thursday morning commute. See NVroads.com or call 5-1-1 for the latest road conditions.
Snow amounts depend on ‘banded snowfall scenario’
According to the latest NWS forecast discussion, snowfall will be mostly light with the fast-moving system arriving late tonight into Thursday. Forecasters are keeping their eyes on what they call a “banded snowfall scenario” that could bring 1 inch per hour snowfall rates to the highest peaks around Lake Tahoe for a brief overnight period ahead of Thursday’s commute.
“This band of snowfall may also deposit snow on valley floors, with a 30 percent chance for 0.5 inches of snow for Verdi and Stead checking in with a 15 percent chance for that 0.5 inch total,” forecasters note.
For travelers heading over the Sierra via I-80, forecasters said Donner Pass has a 35 to 40 percent chance to acquire 3 inches of snow. Amounts may be lighter on the eastern slopes of the Tahoe Basin, with Mt. Rose Summit checking in with a 10 percent chance for the same 3 inches.
On the high end, up to 4 inches of snow could be found across the higher Sierra peaks along the western Tahoe Basin, and under the heaviest bands. Some places will receive measurable snow, while others may only see flurries, forecasters said.
After the system passes, forecasters say we can expect a warming and drying trend through at least the end of next week. Highs across western Nevada will climb out of the 40s to near the mid 50s by midweek next week.
