Carson City weather: Change ahead with potential for valley rain showers, some Sierra snow
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 11/17/2019 - 1:32pm
After weeks of abundant sunshine and above-average fall temperatures, some change is ahead weather wise around the Carson City region, with a system expected to move into the region late Tuesday, bringing the potential for some valley rain showers and mountain snow, but not considered in any way a major winter storm, forecasters say.
The weather pattern begins to change on Tuesday as an area of low pressure drops into California and Nevada. Ahead of the initial wave of this system, upper level winds will increase significantly. Valley winds may become breezy for some areas north of Interstate 80, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Reno.
For now it appears the bulk of the weather system will push in Tuesday night into Wednesday with the potential for valley rain showers and mountain snow. Some light rain and snow showers may begin as early as Tuesday in northern Nevada as well as near the Tahoe basin, according to the weather service.
The weather system isn't going to be a blockbuster producer of precipitation, but will be a change from what we've been experiencing as of late, sunshine and above average daytime temperatures for the past few weeks, forecasters say.
The low center is expected to drop into the region, with snow levels will be just around 6,500 to 7,000 feet for now, forecaster say. While weather service confidence is high the low will develop, it is not sure exactly at this time, how it will set up over northern and western Nevada.
At this time, areas south of Highway 50 appear to have the best chance of seeing valley rain and mountain snow with areas as far north as Interstate 80 still in the game for some precipitation too. For now it appears the system will continue through Wednesday, with a chance of snow levels dropping to 5,000 to 6,000 feet.
What could alter the system is that remnant tropical moisture from tropical storm Raymond could mix with cold air from the north could lead to valley rain and a few inches of Sierra snow, if all the ingredients line up, forecasters say.
At this time it appears the best chance for a sustained event is across portions of Douglas, Alpine, Lyon, Mono and Mineral counties.
Travel impacts are likely for the high Sierra passes in Alpine and Mono counties with some wet snow possible on some lower elevation passes. Winds won't be a big factor on Wednesday, but will add an extra boost to the cold temperatures with the recent warm temperatures, according to the weather service.
