Rain is forecast to turn to snow Monday as a cold air front moves into Carson City and Northwestern Nevada, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno reports, helping to reduce the flood threat from excessive snow melt and run-off.
The snow level drops to 7,000 feet Monday, the NWS reports, keeping snow above that elevation from melting further. But the flood warning remains in effect to at least 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon.
As of 8:15 a.m. Monday morning, the Carson River through Carson City had reached 7.9 feet, about two feet below the flood stage level of 10 feet.
NWS data indicates the river level could crest at or near 10 feet by late Monday, but it's not expected to flow above that stage as freezing levels drop Monday.
The river is currently flowing at 5,290 cubic feet per second (cfs), according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Minor flooding is forecast today while the flood warning remains in effect, the NWS reports, and the river is forecast to continue rising near flood stage by Monday night before decreasing below flood levels overnight.
Flows near flood stage may continue from Dayton to Lahontan Reservoir until Tuesday, said the NWS.
According to NWS data, when the Carson River reaches its flood stage of 10 feet, minor flooding of the lower portions of the flood plain from Genoa to Fort Churchill, including Carson City and Dayton, would be expected. Several homes would also begin to have flood problems in Genoa, the Carson Valley, Stewart and Dayton. Minor to moderate damage to agriculture lands would also be expected.
Monday's high temperature is forecast to be around 41 degrees with a 90 percent chance of precipitation. Conditions will be breezy form the southwest around 20 miles per hour (mph) and gusts to 40 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches is possible Monday.
Snow levels could drop as low as 4,500 feet in parts of Northwestern Nevada, including Carson City.
Rain and snow are forecast Monday night into Tuesday morning with precipitation turning to rain after 10 a.m. Tuesday.
The temperature is forecast to rise to 41 degrees by 3 a.m. Tuesday, the NWS reports.
Conditions Tuesday are forecast to be mostly cloudy with a daytime high temperature rising to near 44 degrees by noon, the NWS said, then is forecast to fall to around freezing (32 degrees) during the remainder of the day as a cold air front moves into the area.
Winds will be robust from the southwest 25-30 mph with gusts as high as 50 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent for Tuesday, but little or no snow accumulation is expected.
Precipitation Tuesday night into Wednesday will be rain before 4 a.m., the NWS reports, then a mix of rain and snow likely after that with a low temperature around 33.
Conditions Tuesday are forecast to be very breezy with a strong southwest wind 20-25 mph and to 45 mph. Tuesday's chance of precipitation is 100 percent, the NWS said, though little or no snow accumulation is expected.
Wednesday weather will be similar to Tuesday with rain and snow likely, the NSW reports, mainly before 10 a.m. Conditions will be mostly cloudy with a high temperature near 42 degrees and breezy with a southwest wind 20-25 mph. Gusts to 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent and new snow accumulation of around an inch is possible.
Snow showers are likely Wednesday night into Thursday, mostly cloudy, with a low of around 24 and a 60 percent chance of precipitation. New snow accumulation of 1-3 inches possible is in the forecast for Wednesday night into Thursday.
The chance of snow showers drops slightly to 50 percent Thursday with a high near 34 degrees. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible, and Thursday night has a slight chance of snow with a low of around 17 degrees.
Friday is forecast to clear up, according to the NWS, mostly sunny with a high near 34.
The weekend is forecast to be partly sunny to partly cloudy with highs around 40 degrees and lows to about 20.