Carson City area weather: Holiday travel best by Saturday, snow in Sierra by Sunday
With the holiday travel period beginning this weekend, the National Weather Service says warm weather will last through Friday with a storm expected to bring gusty winds Saturday with snowfall in the Sierra by Sunday.
High pressure will build into the region, bringing dry conditions and warmer temperatures late this week into the weekend.
The weather service says motorists can expect travel impacts over some Sierra passes, especially along the west slope of the Sierra, beginning early Sunday and lasting through Monday.
The weather system will bring snow to the west slope late Saturday through Sunday. Snow will initially begin over the Coastal Range, Shasta County mountains, and southern Cascades late Saturday, spreading south into the northern Sierra Nevada on Sunday morning, according to the weather service.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday above 4,500 feet along the west slope of the northern Sierra. Snow expected. Plan on difficult travel conditions. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches are expected. Localized amounts up to 15 inches are possible south of Highway 50.
Snow levels will be lowest in the north around 3,500 to 4,000 feet and above 4500 feet in the northern Sierra. Snow combined with gusty winds will create difficult mountain travel conditions. If travel is necessary, carry chains and expect lengthy delays.
For the Reno, Carson City, Carson Valley, Lyon County regions, there's a 50 percent chance of rain and show showers Sunday, 30 percent by Sunday night and a chance of snow on Monday. For the Lake Tahoe area, as for now, there's a 60 percent chance of snow Sunday and a chance of snow Monday.
As of Thursday afternoon, there were no advisories, watches or warnings for the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Another weak storm is expected Monday. However, significant travel impacts are not likely, according to the weather service. Things look favorable for a break in the weather Christmas Eve and Christmas morning before another storm is expected mid-to-late next week.
For the latest road conditions, dial 511 or go to NVRoads.com.
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