The Carson City and Sierra regions remain under a high wind warning and a winter storm watch tonight as a strong Pacific storm is expected to move into the area. The storm may bring up to 4 inches of snow in the valleys, 1 to 2 feet at the shores of Lake Tahoe and up to 5 feet above 7,000 feet.
The high wind warning remains in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday night, with strong winds decreasing tonight and then picking up again tomorrow morning and lasting through the evening, according to the National Weather Service in Reno and Carsonweather.com.
Expect winds of 25 to 40 mph on Tuesday with gusts up to 70 mph in the valley with gusts up to 120 mph on Sierra ridges. Areas of blowing dust may reduce visibility to three miles or less, according to the weather service.
The wind is a precursor to the storm, which is expected to blow into the region and produce heavy snow in the Sierra and snow on the valley floor Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday.
Snow levels will start at about 5,000 feet late Tuesday night, dropping to the valley floors early Wednesday morning. Up to 4 inches of snow with locally higher amounts is expected in Carson City and the Virginia City foothills, according to the weather service.
Periods of moderate to heavy snow may cause travel difficulties and delays along all area roads late tuesday night through wednesday afternoon. The snow combined with the gusty winds may also reduce visibility to less than one mile, the weather service states.
For the Lake Tahoe region, between 1 to 2 feet of snow is expected with the system. Snow should begin falling west of Highway 89 on Tuesday afternoon and increasing in intensity, spreading into the rest of the Tahoe basin Tuesday night through Wednesday.
Snow accumulations are expected to be 1 to 2 feet at lake level with 3 to 5 feet above 7,000 feet. The highest amounts will be on the west side of the lake. Chains controls are likely.
For the latest road information call the Nevada Travel Info line by calling 511. If you are out of state call 1-877-NVROADS. Or click here for the latest road conditions for Nevada and the Sierra.
For the latest weather updates go to www.carsonweather.com.