Blustery conditions are expected to kick up ahead of the first of two winter storm systems that will bring heavy snow to Lake Tahoe and rain with the potential for snow showers around Carson City.
A High Wind Warning for Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Carson Valley and Dayton areas is in effect from midnight through 4 p.m. Thursday.
Strong winds will continue to develop in the foothills and over ridges and then spread down to the valley floor by early Thursday morning and persist through the afternoon. The Wind Warning extends well to the east of Carson City, along Interstate 80 and Highway 50.
For the valleys around Carson City, winds will be from the south to southwest 30 to 45 mph with gusts up to 65 mph Wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph are possible along wind prone areas, especially along Highway 395 and I-580 corridors. The wind will be potentially hazardous for high profile vehicles on I-580 and Highway 395, according to the weather service. Be prepared for delays and possible re-routes.
In the Lake Tahoe Basin, strong winds are will continue Wednesday night well into Thursday morning, with speeds from 30 to 45 mph and gusts up to 65 mph. Ridge gusts could be as high as 125 mph and 150 mph above 13,000 feet. Damage to trees remains a possibility.
Whether you live around Carson City or in the foothills or at Lake Tahoe, the weather service says there could be damaging gusts and advised to secure the outdoor patio furniture, trash cans, holiday lawn decorations and bring in the pets. Due to the potential for localized power outages, folks should have flashlights with spare batteries and candles. It is also a good idea to have the smart phones and iPads charged.
As for precipitation, the first weather system will impact the Sierra with the heaviest snow in more than a year. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 4 a.m. Thursday to 4 p.m. Friday for the Lake Tahoe Basin and Sierra.
Snow will begin to move into the Sierra by Wednesday night with heavy snowfall by Thursday morning. Snow will decrease by Thurday night with snow showers lingering into Friday morning. Snow levels will begin at around 8,000 feet then fall to below 5,500 feet by early Thursday afternoon.
Accumulations of 1 to 2 feet are expected above 7,000 feet with up to 3 feet near the Sierra crest. Below 7,000 feet, there could be anywhere from 7 to 14 inches. West of Highway 89, the snow amounts could be a foot to 18 inches.
It has been said elsewhere, and worth repeating, it is probably not a good idea to travel over the Sierra on Thursday. Snowfall rates will exceed plowing capabilities at times. This includes Interstate 80, Highway 50 over Spooner and Echo, California Highway 88, 89 and 267, as well as Nevada State Route 28, 431 and 207 over Kingsbury Grade.
Snow levels will vary. The foothills surrounding Carson City could see accumulations of up to 6 inches above 5,500 feet. While the system will bring heavy rain to the valleys, there is a chance of anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of snow Thursday night for the Reno, Carson City, Carson Valley and Dayton areas.
The next winter storm system is expected to move into the region Saturday night into Sunday, starting off with rain for the Carson City area and then turning to snow by Sunday night. Lake Tahoe and the Sierra are expected to get hit with at least a foot or more of snow from this system, according to the weather service.