Carson City area weather: Rain and snow showers possible this weekend, heavy snow in the Sierra
A winter storm will move into the region beginning late Saturday, bringing a rain and snow mix to the Carson City area and most valley floors with the Sierra seeing as much as 2 feet or more of snow by Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the greater Lake Tahoe area Saturday night through Sunday evening where snow amounts will range from 4 to 16 inches around lake level and 15 inches to 2-plus feet above 7,000 feet. It will be windy too, with ridges gusting 70 to 100 mph out of the southwest.
Carson City and lower valleys
For the lower valleys, though, snowfall could amount to as much as an inch for the lower valleys, maybe more in the foothills. That's as of Thursday afternoon's forecast into the weekend. Snow levels and amounts may change as we move closer to Saturday.
As for now NWS forecasters say snow levels will start out from near 5,000 feet in northern Washoe County to 6,500 feet in Mineral County Saturday night. The forecast for Carson City notes that rain is likely Saturday night, mainly after 10 p.m. with the snow level at around 6,100 feet.
Any spillover precipitation during this time will be rain for the valleys, with a rain/snow mix possible in the foothills. Then the cold front will push through bringing snow levels down through the remainder of Sunday, according to the weather service.
Convective snow showers may bring quick bursts of moderate/heavy snowfall to much of the area during the day on Sunday, however, overall snow projections are not expected to be significant across western Nevada at this time, according to NWS forecasters.
For Carson City there's a 70 percent chance of snow showers, however snow accumulations are forecasted (as of Thursday afternoon) to be less than an inch.
For road conditions call 511 or go to NVroads.com. Check back for updates.