Carson City area weather: Wind and Sierra snow with clearing by Sunday; storms possible next week
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 3:13pm
Another round of storms will impact western Nevada and the Sierra late Friday into Saturday, bringing gusty valley winds and Sierra snow, followed by clearing on Easter Sunday before the potential for more stormy conditions again late Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow is expected around the Sierra through Thursday night. Forecasters are monitoring another system for Friday night into Saturday that will likely bring gusty winds, valley rain and snow for the Sierra, forecasters say.
There is a 50% chance of spillover rain and snow into western Nevada, but accumulations would be well under 0.25". Winds will be the primary feature with this storm. Even with the storm potential for Saturday, simulations are favoring a dry Easter Sunday with temperatures warming to near mid-April averages.
A Wind Advisory is in effect from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for the greater Reno area, Carson City and Carson Valley in Douglas County, as well as in Mono County, Calif. Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. Wind prone areas could see gusts exceed 60 mph, forecasters say.
The weather service advises that gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Gusty winds and dry conditions may result in a period of localized critical fire conditions, so avoid activities that may spark a fire.
Read below or go here for the latest NWS forecast discussion.
The pattern we all probably wanted back in mid-winter is here with multiple storm systems moving through the region over the next 7-10 days. Several periods of mountain snow and travel disruptions along with strong winds are likely. Temperatures will be warmer than they have been, but will generally be near to below normal.
Thursday night and Friday
Our ongoing storm (Thursday) continues to drop quite a bit of rain and snow on western Sierra slopes up to the crest from approximately Hwy 88 north. A sharp rain shadow east of the crest is present with some limited spillover into far NE CA and the Tahoe Basin and nothing into western Nevada. This will continue into the evening hours, with some periods of travel difficulties over the crest, but limited accumulation on roadways elsewhere due to the daytime warmth and high sun angle. After sunset, it may be easier to see roadway accumulation, but precipitation rates will also begin to taper back then.
Winds will be lighter, but remain breezy on Friday with only a few light lingering showers for the northern Sierra and northeast California. Our next storm moves in Friday night into Saturday with strong winds and another round of rain and snow anticipated overnight into Saturday morning.
Saturday and Easter Sunday
Saturday morning will see the progression of the latest system working its way through the area. If your weekend plans involve road travel, make sure to check with NVRoads.com an Caltrans for the latest road conditions ahead of your trip. Impacts will include rain/snow and winds that could create travel headaches, especially with the anticipated higher traffic volumes for the holiday weekend.
We are so pleased to welcome the precipitation, but need to be cautious in our optimism for accumulations. This storm will be largely a wind maker, with potentially damaging wind gusts of 60+ mph possible in and around the Eastern Sierra. Given westerly wind direction, gusts blowing across N-S oriented roadways such as US-395, US-95, and I-580 may create problems for high-profile vehicles.
Anyone interested in recreation on the lakes will see choppy conditions, while aviators will encounter turbulence along the Eastern Sierra.
Snow levels will be around 6,000 to 6,500 feet for Lake Tahoe communities who could see the bulk of the precipitation from this round.Accumulations of snow will mostly reside to the west of Lake Tahoe, where a 50% chance for up to 4" exists. Snow consistency will be wet, and below 6,000 feet most areas will see only rain. With a high sun angle and warm soils, most roadways will remain wet, the exception being the higher passes that could have some slushy or snowy conditions. Looking to the south of Tahoe, the storm for Mono County may produce up to 6" of snow for higher elevations west of US-395 as it passes, and moves out by Saturday evening.
Easter Sunday awakens to clearing skies, with temperatures warming toward the mid 60s to low 70s for western Nevada valleys, and Sierra communities seeing mid 50s. The Easter Bunny needs ideal hopping conditions to distribute his colorful and sweet goodies.
Temperatures are favorable for keeping chocolates from melting too fast, and winds should allow ideal basket carrying and efficient egg hiding. There won't be any rain threatening the egg hunts or other outdoor events for Sunday.
Next Week
Late Monday into Tuesday another chance for moisture arrives. Spillover for this system may be limited due to the position of the low pressure being well to the north of the region along the Canadian border. Wind gusts of 30-40 mph are possible for the ridges, but this could be modified if the position of the low shifts.
Going forward into the week, guidance suggests yet another frontal feature approaches the area for Thursday night into Friday, and as of now, appears to bring a decent moisture source to the area. I know what you are wondering... Where was this a couple months ago? Let's not question too much, some things we just accept, like this wonderful late season boost to our water supply!
