Forecasters at the Reno office of the National Weather Service said today that confidence is increasing in wet weather for the end of the week and through the weekend, with two storm systems on target to impact our area. The first will be very warm with subtropical origins, while the second will be colder. Here are the highlights:
Thursday and Friday:
A warm and very wet storm looks to bring moderate to heavy rain to the Sierra and much of western Nevada as well.
“Focus for heaviest rain in the Sierra and western Nevada from approximately I-80 south will be Friday morning,” explains NWS Meteorologist Dawn Johnson, “with the heaviest rain potential shifting northward across northeast California, the northern Sierra, and extreme northern Nevada by the early afternoon.”
According to Johnson the greatest risk from this storm will be debris flows or rock slides in steep terrain and around recent burn scars. River rises are likely, but mainstem river flooding is not expected. Small streams and roadways with poor drainage (or drains blocked by leaves) could see minor flooding. Winds will be negligible with this storm with snow levels 9,500-10,000 feet.
Saturday and Sunday:
An initial band of lighter, warm rain will push into the Sierra and northeast California Saturday with some light sprinkles possible in western Nevada. The main system follows through on Saturday night into Sunday. The peak of the heaviest precipitation is likely to be Sunday morning and afternoon.
“This system is colder and snow levels are expected to start around 7,000 to 8,500 feet, falling to 6,500 to 7,500 feet by Sunday afternoon,” said Johnson.
The snow levels may lower further in the heaviest precipitation bands and also Sunday night as colder air works into the region. Most all Sierra passes will be impacted by periods of snow Sunday into Sunday night, this also includes Highway 395 into Mono County.
Sierra ridge gusts of 80 to 90 mph are expected with gusts of 30 to 35 mph in valley locations.
For more information you can always find current conditions at LassenWeatherNetwork.com.
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