Carson City Public Works tech Jason Moore puts loose limbs into a wood chipper this morning on King Street. High winds overnight and early this morning of nearly 50 mph on the west side of town to more than 70 mph just outside the city limits blew lots of dead and dying tree limbs and debris to the ground, public works reported.
Carson City Sheriff's Office reports some calls were made to the department regarding downed trees. One large tree limb smashed into a fence and blocked part of the road at Ash Canyon and Ormsby. Public Works removed the debris earlier this morning.
"When winds like this come up, the dead stuff starts coming down," Moore said.
Meanwhile, wind gusts in the Carson City area ranged from a high of 57 mph, reported by a weather spotter, three miles northwest of Carson City; 79 mph three miles south of Washoe Valley, and 78 mph southwest of the city limits. The highest wind gust reported so far for the valley region was 107 mph clocked at 6:25 this morning two miles northeast of New Washoe City at the Galena Creek Bridge. The highest wind clocked in the Sierra was 120 mph at 2:40 this morning at 9,650 feet near Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. For a full weather report on winds in the region click here: www.carsonweather.com/modules/wx/storms.htm
Apparently the heavy wind reports have made the national news venue circuit. The storm in Northern Nevada caught the attention of Neal Conan, host of NPR's "Talk of The Nation" who mentioned the winds blowing more than 100 mph today during his interview with Sting. Apparently a phone caller from Northern Nevada prompted Conan to reference the storm during the Sting interview. See www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5
A high wind warning remains in effect today through 5 p.m. for the Carson City, Carson Valley, Lake Tahoe and Reno regions. Some power outages have already been reported in the area.
Damage to trees, power lines and property is likely with winds of this magnitude. Driving will become hazardous for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution and remain alert for sudden gusts or cross winds.
According to the latest from www.carsonweather.com, strong South to Southwest winds will continue through as a deep low pressure system approaches from the West.
Strong and potentially damaging wind gusts are expected in the lee of the Sierra from the Reno-Carson City vicinity South across Mono and Mineral counties. The winds will decrease this evening as precipitation moves into the area.
Today: The forecast for Carson City calls for rain and cloudy skies with a high near 63. Windy, with a south southwest wind around 30 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
Tonight: Rain showers before 11 p.m., then rain and snow showers likely. Snow level 6,000 feet lowering to 4,800 feet. Low around 32. Breezy, with a west southwest wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Wednesday: Scattered snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. West northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Wednesday night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. West northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers before 11a.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Thursday night: A chance of rain showers before 11pm, then a chance of snow showers. Snow level 5400 feet lowering to 4800 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday: A chance of snow showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. Snow level 4900 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.
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