The potential for strong wind gusts Tuesday ahead of a weather system that is expected to bring rain to Carson City has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Wind Advisory for the region.
Winds will increase late Tuesday morning with the strongest expected Tuesday afternoon. Winds will be from the south to southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph and 60 mph in wind prone areas including the Highway 395 corridor, Washoe Valley and foothills around Carson City and Reno. In the Sierra, winds could reach 90 to 120 mph over high ridges, especially those above Lake Tahoe.
The advisory means there will likely be travel restrictions for high profile vehicles along Interstate I-580 and Highway 395 between Carson City and Reno by Tuesday afternoon.
The weather service advises homeowners to secure loose outdoor items such as patio furniture and trash cans, plus have some flashlights and candles on hand in the event of a power outage.
The arriving system is expected to bring snow to the Sierra and rain to the valleys with the possibility of a rain and snow mix lowering to the valley floor by Tuesday night. For Carson City, Carson Valley and Dayton areas, there’s a 70 percent chance of rain Tuesday.
Snow levels are expected to rise at the beginning of the weather system with a few inches at lake level and five to 10 inches in the higher Sierra elevations.
There will be clearing on Wednesday with another system developing late Thursday night into Friday. Go here for a weather discussion and CarsonWeather.com for local Carson City weather updates.