A quick-hitting storm will bring snow and travel impacts into the higher elevations late Wednesday into Thursday followed by a warmer, wetter storm by the weekend for Carson City and surrounding counties, according to the National Weather Service.
The first system may bring a dusting of snow into the western Nevada foothills, including the west side of Carson City with less than a half-inch possible.
The system is expected to extend into Thursday with rain and light snow before 1 p.m. around Reno, Carson City, Carson Valley and Lyon County, forecasters said.
The bulk of the snow, however, will be above the foothills with commute impacts possible, prompting a Winter Weather Advisory for Lake Tahoe and Sierra from Wednesday night to Thursday afternoon. Wind gusts of 90 mph are possible along the mountain ridges.
Around 1 to 4 inches of snow is possible for Lake Tahoe, and 4 to 8 inches above 7,000 feet and up to 10 inches at the highest peaks. See NVroads.com for the latest travel conditions.
Meanwhile, the wetter but warmer storm tracking Friday evening through Saturday will bring snow impacts for mountain areas and rain with gusty winds to the lower valleys.
Recent models show the storm leaning more into Saturday afternoon into evening for the heaviest precipitation. At this time, snow amounts have trended upward with the weekend storm, with the potential of 8 to 12 inches of snow possible in the higher elevations.
The snow line varies between 5,000 feet to 7,500 feet. For these reasons forecast confidence in snowfall and impacts remains low to medium. That may change as we get closer to the weekend. NWS advises anyone with travel plans Friday evening through Saturday should closely monitor the forecast.
The weather service is tracking the potential for a third storm possibly Monday into Tuesday but for now forecaster confidence is low. Check back for updates.
