Clouds will give way to sunny skies this week

A low-pressure system off the California coast produced heavy rains Monday throughout California that spilled snowfall across the Sierra into western Nevada, leaving 1 to 3 inches of snow on the valley floors.

"In the long-range outlook we will get a break up until at least Saturday and possibly into next week," said Kyle Mozley, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Reno. "Beyond that, the models are all over the place but we do stay active, which means the potential is there for us to continue to see precipitation for the next couple of weeks.

"And we'll take it. Areas above 5,000 feet could see up to 6 inches of snow."

Mozley said Monday's storm should move out of the area today leaving scattered snow showers but not much accumulation.

"It then clears out and warms up, giving us afternoon highs in the upper 40s to near 50," he said.

Interstate 80 westbound was closed Monday to trucks at the Nevada state line because of heavy congestion, in addition to chain controls for all vehicles with the exception of four-wheel drives with snow tires on all four wheels from the Donner Lake interchange to Kingvale, Calif., Eastbound trucks were being screened at Applegate for minimum chains in their possession before being allowed to proceed.

Mozley said the low pressure will bring another wet system into the area by Monday.

"Dense fog is definitely a possibility over the next couple of nights, especially if we get some snowfall," he said. "The snowfall provides a moisture source for the fog."

Monday's snowfall helped continue Carson City's typical weather trend of February being one of its wetter months on record. Carson City received 1.66 inches of moisture (rain and snowmelt combined) in February 2008, and 1.22 inches in March 2008.

For the latest weather and road condition information while in Nevada, dial 511.

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.