Carson City area weekend storm update: Wind and snow to make for dangerous conditions
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Fri, 03/01/2024 - 11:30am
A major winter storm moving into the Sierra, Carson City and surrounding counties will continue to intensify, bringing heavy snow that will make for treacherous conditions Friday night through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
After experiencing rain in the valleys, snow is expected to develop later Friday into the lower valleys while whiteout blizzard conditions developing over the Sierra on Friday, prompting multiple weather warnings for the region, including a blizzard warning for Lake Tahoe and Sierra.
Western Nevada valleys will see a rain and snow mix before turning to all snow overnight. Motorists should be prepared for conditions to change in the lower valleys and if possible stay off the roads overnight. As of the time of this writing chains are required throughout the mountain region. Motorists are advised to stay off the mountain roadways. See NVroads.com for the latest travel information.
Carson City and surrounding counties
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for western Nevada including Carson City, Washoe, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties. Forecasters advise the storm will bring heavy snow with accumulations 6 to 14 inches for valley floors, and 2 to 3 feet for Virginia City, the Virginia Highlands, and foothills above 5,000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 75 mph.
Forecasters advise roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Travel could be very difficult to impossible with whiteout conditions at times late Friday into Saturday.
Winds will increase during periods of lighter snowfall Friday. Light snow may bring slick roads for the Friday morning commute. The heaviest snow is expected Friday night into Saturday morning. During the lighter snow period on Friday, another round of strong winds with gusts as high as 70 mph is expected.
Forecasters note that no matter where you find yourself, err on the side of caution by wearing layered and appropriate winter clothing, and if you are traveling bring extra water, snacks, tire chains and warm clothing or blankets in case you find yourself stuck.
Snow totals
Snow amounts across the Sierra crest will range from 5-12 feet. Forecasters say to expect 6 to 14 inches into Reno, Carson City, Douglas County and Dayton areas.
The Lake Tahoe Basin is showing up for a 70-80 percent chance for up to 4 feet on the western shores, with 3 feet about a 30 chance for the eastern shore to gather 3 feet of new snow. Mammoth Lakes checks in with a 80 percent chance to accumulate a fresh 4 feet of snow, forecasters said.
Once the rain changes to snow, it may be falling onto wet areas that become icy. Snow levels then look to rise to near 5,000 feet again briefly Friday afternoon before that pool of cold air takes over the region for the evening commute into the overnight, according to NWS forecasters.
After this initial period of snow levels wobble Friday the snow level should crash to below valley floors for the rest of the storm duration, promising to bring snow to all valley floors, forecasters said. The arrival of the cold pool, winds, and snow intensity will coincide, producing the much advertised blizzard conditions which will work together to make the winds seem even more intense. Travel woes will compound overnight into Saturday.
Damaging wind
NV Energy says it is anticipating outages during the duration of the storm and that it is prepared and on standby to respond to any outages that may occur. The utility is encouraging customers to review its outage preparation tips. Customers can also stay up to date on the number of outages, outage causes, number of customers impacted and estimated time of restoration by going to its outage center here.
With two forms of the same system converging, forecasters say gusts of 120-plus mph are expected along the mountain ridgetops Friday as this second round of storms moves in another round of gusts sets up for Saturday, with up to 80 mph gusts for wind prone areas.
Contacted Friday morning a NWS forecaster advised that valley locations could see gusty winds again from 50 mph to 60 mph in wind prone areas like Washoe Valley and in Carson Valley with 30 to 40 mph elsewhere with up to 50 mph or so in the foothill region, which will create more travel headaches, especially for high-profile vehicles on north-south roadways.
Check back for updates.
