Chance of rain or snow? Forecasters say western Nevada, Sierra may see changes by weekend
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 11/01/2020 - 12:05pm
After months of sunny skies, no precipitation and fire weather concerns, National Weather Service forecasters say western Nevada and the Lake Tahoe areas may see a significant shift with possible rain and snow showers moving into the region by the first weekend of November.
A strong cold front will push through the Sierra and western Nevada on Friday bringing gusty winds, much colder temperatures and chances for rain and snow showers, according to forecasters. The storm does appear to herald in a pattern that may possibly stick around through much of November with the potential for lingering cold temperatures and maybe even additional chances for rain and snow, according to a weather service 'Special Weather Statement' issued Sunday morning.
While the forecaster remains early, forecasters say gusty conditions may increase significantly on Friday with a quick burst of winds that may produce areas of blowing dust, choppy lake conditions, as well as a brief period of fire weather concerns.
Afternoon temperatures will drop significantly from Friday to Saturday, with western Nevada and Sierra valleys in the mid 40s and 50s. Overnight lows will drop back below freezing for many areas as well. While rain and snow chances are still pretty low, the simulations have trended a touch wetter each day, especially for the Sierra.
In terms of precipitation, the trend continues upwards with chances for a wetting rain/snow looking more likely for the Sierra and even some periods of rain/snow showers will be possible across western Nevada, according forecasters.
The weather service advises if you haven't put that winter travel kit in your car, then now is the time make it happen. It is that time of the year where conditions can rapidly change along the Sierra passes, so being in tune with all the weather updates as well as NDOT and Caltrans will save a lot of headaches.
If you turned your sprinklers back on, now is the time to call it for the season since the cold will linger on into the coming weeks.
In the meantime, a weak area of low pressure moving through southern California into central Nevada will bring increasing clouds early Sunday into Mono County spreading north to around I-80 this afternoon.
Relatively calm weather conditions will continue into the beginning of the week as daytime high temperatures remain well above average with upper 60s to mid 70s for most of the region. Seasonably cool mornings and moderately strong inversions may continue to trap pollutants in the Reno metro area, according to the weather service.
