Forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Reno are expecting a dry, mild holiday weekend before a cold front ushers in a major change starting Tuesday.
Strong winds will accompany tomorrows with gusts of 40-50 mph expected along the front, and possible
stronger gusts surpassing 60 mph in wind prone areas along US-395 as well as US-95 south of Highway 50.
Wind gusts exceeding 100 mph are expected along the Sierra crest. This will bring impacts for both air and ground travel, along with choppy lakes.
Areas of blowing dust are also possible across the west central Nevada Basin and Range, which could affect I-80, US-95, and Highway 50 on Tuesday.
An initial round of snow is expected Tuesday and Tuesday night, with a short burst of higher snowfall rates and even a rumble of thunder possible with the front. Additional periods of snow showers will follow through Thursday night.
Overall snow totals over the 3-day period could reach 12 to 18 inches along the Sierra crest, with a dusting up to 2 inches into the valleys of western Nevada.
High temperatures Wednesday through Friday will struggle to get out of the 30s in even the warmest valleys, with teens and 20s in the mountains. Overnight lows will dip in the teens and single digits, with below zero in colder valleys.
Brisk winds will make it feel even colder, with dangerous wind chills in exposed areas of the high Sierra dipping as low as -30 degrees. Be sure to protect vulnerable populations as well as pets.
