Snow, strong winds headed our way today

Visitors to this weekend's St. Patrick's Day Parade should pack a green sweater, as a winter storm is headed our way.

According to an advisory issued Thursday by the National Weather Service, travelers should expect winter driving conditions today in the Sierra.

Between 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected to fall at lake level beginning this afternoon into Saturday morning, with 8 to 14 inches above 7,000 feet.

"It's going to be a high-elevation storm," said Alex Hoon, weather service meteorologist.

Up to 1 inch could fall in Carson City early Saturday morning, he said, but the main concern will be the wind.

"It's not going to be severely high winds, but it is going to be windy," he said. "We're issuing a wind advisory for the greater Reno, Carson City area with winds gusting up to 55 mph."

The weather service is predicting a relatively mild rest of the weekend with mostly sunny skies on Saturday, with a high near 42. North winds are expected to be between 10 and 15 mph.

Sunday should be sunny, with a high near 50.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade and Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry are Saturday in Virginia City.

Turn to page A7 for times and other St. Paddy's Day events.