Seasons mixing in typical March fashion

It looks like March came in like a lamb and will go out like one as well, despite a mid-month blast of cold weather.

Beginning today, a high of 49 will introduce a rising thermometer that will culminate in the 60s through the weekend and likely stay that way, said Brian Brong, National Weather Service meteorologist.

"The winds will pick up for (today), and there are some snow showers possible in the afternoon, but not any big accumulation of snow," he said. "A big warm front will set into the lower 60s for Thursday through the weekend."

Monday morning, Carson City woke up to a dusting of snow and icy winds that had boiled away by afternoon. In late afternoon, the sun was evident, and the storm hanging over the Sierra seemed to disappear.

Brong said March's weather was pretty dry until about March 20, when the rain and snow started.

"A low-pressure storm out in the Pacific keeps sending impulses of energy our way," Brong said.

This March's weather has been typical, he said.

"In March, we'll have days in the 60s and 70s, then we'll get a storm system come in and drop the temperature. March is a transition month from the cool winter pattern to the spring pattern," he said.

And, he said, April's weather might be as temperamental.

"We'll still see some storms in April. Whether we get a big one or not, we'll have to wait and see," he said. "Typically, we'll see average April temperatures starting in the lower 60s, and by the end of the month they are maybe even as high as 70."

Today's weather is expected to be partly cloudy with west winds of 20 to 30 mph and up to an inch of snow at 5,000 feet.

n Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.