Sierra Cement Snow, Valley Rain and Strong Winds Arrive Friday

Sunny skies and warm temperatures remain in the forecast on Veteran’s Day Wednesday. Highs will approach 70 degrees once again in the valleys. Mostly sunny skies will remain on Thursday, although temperatures will start to cool a few degrees. By the midday/afternoon hours of Friday, a low-pressure system will pass across the Sierra onto the Sierra front, with Sierra snow, valley rain, and gusty winds. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the Sierra from Friday 10am until Saturday 10am. Travel impacts are more than likely as elevations above 7,000 feet can expect around a foot of snow. Snow tire and chain restrictions are anticipated. Rain will fall in the valleys through Friday night before mostly exiting east on Saturday morning. The weekend will be much cooler with a few widely scattered showers possible, before another wave of precipitation enters on Monday. Monday’s system doesn’t look to pack as much of a punch as Friday’s, but it will be much cooler, so snow will likely reach all the way down into the foothills. Precipitation totals look to be on the lighter side. Next Tuesday is trending dry, before a potential third wave of precipitation enters next Wednesday.

High pressure and warm temperatures will continue to dominate the forecast over the next several days. A few upper-level clouds have moved into the Sierra and Sierra Front this Monday afternoon as a low-pressure system hangs over the Pacific Northwest. High pressure will build across the Southwest again on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing sunny skies and warm temperatures as the low stays well north of Nevada and California. Highs will reach the 60s for most through Thursday. Clouds will increase Thursday into Friday as high pressure gives way to a Pacific storm system arriving late Friday. Precipitation is expected Friday evening and Friday night, with showers possible throughout the weekend. Sierra snow, valley rain, and gusty winds are all anticipated. Unsettled conditions may continue early next week. Temperatures will drop noticeably following our warm and sunny stretch, with highs in the low to mid-50s and lows below freezing for most.

Conditions remain unsettled across the Silver State and Northern California this Tuesday evening. Showers in the Sierra will continue to spill over onto the Sierra front, meaning if you are heading to the polls, a rain jacket or umbrella will be handy. Scattered showers will remain through the evening before working farther east overnight. A few showers will remain during the early morning hours in Eastern Nevada on Wednesday, but all precipitation is expected to exit by the daytime hours. Skies will be on the sunnier side on Wednesday with temperatures remaining cool. High pressure will build in from the southwest towards the end of the week, meaning plenty of sunshine and warmer temperatures are expected over the weekend. Temps will remain warmer than average next week; however, a wet trend is looking more and more probable by Veterans Day and the mid-to-late week.

The Holiday weekend is here and so are the precipitation chances as a low-pressure system circulating up in the Pacific Northwest will combine with a secondary system working up from the Pacific and California coast. High temperatures will be about 10-15 degrees cooler than average this weekend. Some showers are spilling over the Sierra this Friday morning with low but still possible chances of showers across Nevada today, while the Sierra has a greater chance at rain showers and even some snow above 7,000-7,500 feet. Chances remain quite scattered tonight into Saturday morning. The Nevada Day Parade will be chilly with more clouds than sun, and rain chances will increase as the parade goes on. Saturday afternoon is where precipitation picks up for most locations, so expect a cool and wet Halloween for the trick-or-treaters. Travel may become hazardous over the mountain passes and at high elevations. Tahoe may receive up to 2 inches of snow, while high elevations could see totals reaching 3-8 inches. Most snow will fall Saturday night into Sunday morning. If you are heading through the passes or high elevations, bring chains or snow tires, and bring an extra bag of clothes, food, and water. The two systems will pass over Nevada before pealing out on Sunday afternoon, so a cloudy and potentially wet start to the day will give way to sunshine and drier conditions from west to east during the afternoon and evening hours. High pressure will build on Monday, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures returning to normal levels. A potential low could work in later on next week, stay tuned for all the details. - Patrick

The wind will increase through Saturday, amplifying fire weather concerns. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms east of Reno-Sparks on Wednesday and Thursday, with a better chance area-wide on Friday.