A series of weather systems will start moving through the Sierra and western Nevada on Thursday and continue into the holiday weekend, the National Weather Service said, but the overall impact is hard to forecast.
The first storm, Thursday into Friday, looks to bring gusty west-southwest winds and chances for Sierra snow and western Nevada valley rain, the NWS said on its website (weather.gov). The second, Saturday into Sunday, is likely to bring another round of gusty winds and wintry precipitation with better chances for snow at all elevations.
“For Thursday into Friday, while we have medium to high confidence of a moderate storm, snow levels at onset and the area of greatest impact have yet to be determined,” the NWS said in a special weather statement.
“The strength and track of the weekend storm remains widely variable from a solid if not major storm to something fairly weak. Snow levels are also more variable with some accumulating snow on the valley floors possible.
“If you are planning to travel for the holiday weekend, prepare for winter driving conditions and delays with emphasis on the Sierra passes. Monitor the forecast and think about the possibility of altering your plans, especially as the forecast becomes clearer,” the NWS concluded.
THE FORECAST
Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Thursday night: A chance of rain before 4 a.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow. Snow level 6,400 feet lowering to 5,800 feet after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday: A slight chance of rain and snow before 10 a.m. Snow level 4,700 feet rising to 5,700 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
Saturday: Rain and snow likely before 1 p.m., then rain likely between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow after 4 p.m. Snow level rising to 5,300 feet in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.
Saturday night: A chance of rain and snow before 10 p.m., then a slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44.
Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.
Monday: A slight chance of rain and snow. Snow level rising to 6,100 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 51.
