Back-to-back winter storms will bring gusty winds, periods of heavy snow and travel issues across western Nevada and the Sierra Thursday into Friday morning with a break in the weather before a second storm arrives Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Gusty winds have developed Thursday morning as the storm pushes into the region. Snow will move in through the day prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Weather Advisory that runs from 1 p.m. to 4 a.m. Friday for the greater Reno, Carson City, Carson Valley and Lyon County areas.
For the valleys, snow may begin to accumulate during the day Thursday in foothill locations, but the greatest risk for snow accumulations at all elevations will occur Thursday afternoon through the evening commute, according to the weather service.
Even though the snow is expected to wrap up before the Friday morning commute, the roads may still be slick and hazardous, according to the weather service.
Total snow accumulation 1 to 4 inches except 3 to 7 inches in foothill locations near and above 5,000 feet including Virginia City. Wind gusts up to 50 mph in the early afternoon should diminish during the evening.
Meanwhile, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the greater Lake Tahoe area and Sierra until 4 a.m. Friday. Traveling over the Sierra is not advised. At least two feet of snow is expected above 7,000 feet, according to the weather service.
As far as temperatures for the valleys, forecasters say we can expect very cold mornings Friday and Saturday with temperatures falling into teens to low 20s and some single digit above/below zero readings expected due to clearing skies and fresh snow on the ground.
Temperatures will struggle to get out of the 30s Friday so it’s a good idea to bundle up with extra layers if attending the Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights in Carson City on Friday evening and the Parade of Lights in Douglas County on Saturday.
Just when the first storm leaves another is on the way. Below and here is the latest weather forecast discussion from the National Weather Service regarding the second storm.
Saturday morning, an upper low off the California coast will begin to work inland, bringing impacts to the Sierra and western Nevada. The current track brings the center of circulation onshore near southern California late Saturday morning.
With the long residence time over the Pacific Ocean and slow progress onshore the moisture associated with this system will be enhanced, bringing the potential for higher snow amounts than the previous system. Snowfall rates may be lower in comparison to the current storm, but this storm looks to linger over the region longer.
For now, the system appears to continue to affect the Sierra and western Nevada from Saturday through Monday morning. The trajectory of the storm appears to keep the western Nevada valleys somewhat shadowed, but with a colder airmass, any precipitation falling would be frozen.
Ensembles reflect a 75 to 85% probability of a foot of snow along the Sierra crest, with a 30-40% potential for up to 2 feet of snow to accumulate on some peaks.
In western Nevada, probabilities of an inch of snow accumulations range 40-50%, and for 2 inches the chances drop to 25-30%. The main message for the snow associated with this low pressure is that it will be capable of snow for at least a couple of days.
South-southwest winds look to amplify into Saturday morning, bringing gusts as high as 80+ mph to the Sierra crest. Outdoor recreation will be hampered for Saturday into Sunday, if you consider the winds alone. Valleys east of the crest may see gusts approach 30-35 mph for wind prone areas.
The long-lived storm will come to conclusion Monday, and the deep diving low will carry with it some cold temperatures. It is December, after all. Sierra communities will see daytime highs hanging around the freezing mark, while the crest will barely make it past the mid-twenties for highs. Western Nevada valley highs will take a dive into the mid to upper 30s. Overnight lows along the crest could struggle to reach 5-10 degrees, while Sierra valleys could do a bit better with the low to mid teens. Looking down into the lower valleys, upper teens to low 20s are in store.
The latest road conditions can be obtained going to NVroads.com or calling 511.
