Dreaming of a white Thanksgiving

Avid skiers and snow revelers may be giving thanks to Mother Nature this Thanksgiving. The long, warm fall may finally be making way for a series of winter storms said National Weather Service officials in Reno.

Until then, expect windy conditions similar to Tuesday as the cold front moves in today. Temperatures will rest in the upper 50s, but winds will be from the southwest and as high as 30 mph by this afternoon with gusts up to 45 mph.

"Anything that falls will be snow," meteorologist Gina Beninato said. "It's just a matter of how much, (though) I wouldn't over pack skiing equipment." Just 3 inches of snow are expected at the resorts by Thursday morning.

Snow levels drop to 6,000 feet tonight, with lows in the upper 20s to low 30s.

"At least it will be chilly enough for making snow," said meteorologist Rebecca Cripe.

In the valleys, expect partly cloudy skies with a slight chance of showers Thanksgiving morning. Highs will be 44 to 54 with winds from the west at 10 to 15 mph with 30 mph gusts.

After-turkey travelers will find lows 19-29 and winds from the northwest at 10 mph. Late-night travelers will find winds from the south at 10 mph after midnight.

Weekend shoppers will find partly cloudy skies with highs 46-56 through Sunday afternoon. A chance of snow returns Sunday night along with lows of 20-30 degrees.

Holiday travel

Anyone who travels should keep an eye on weather reports. If snow levels are supposed to drop to lake level, be prepared when traveling over the passes.

For information on road conditions call the Nevada Department of Transportation's new travel information system by dialing 511. The 511 line is toll-free and available 24 hours a day.

The system details weather, construction, traffic and road incident reports and has the same information as the state's road conditions line at (877) 687-6237. Information is also available online at www.nevadadot.com.

Global warming?

Lake Tahoe area is having above average warm weather at this time of year. Normal November high temperatures are in the mid 40s, but temperatures have been in the mid 60s which has made for less precipitation in the storms.

Since 1950, temperatures in the Sierra Nevada have increased 2 to 3 degrees, bringing peak spring snow melt two to three weeks sooner, according to UC Davis research ecologist Robert Coats who has studied data collected at the lake since 1969.

If nothing is done to curb emissions, greenhouse gas emissions could raise temperatures another 5 or 6 degrees by the end of the 21st century, according to some projections. The snowpack could be reduced by 89 percent.