The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a weather advisory as a well-predicted storm system is set to hit the area early Sunday morning. Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor items as strong, gusty winds, cooler temperatures, valley rain, and snow showers in the Sierra are expected.
Saturday’s daytime highs will reach the upper 60s to lower 70s in the valleys and mid 50s to mid 60s in the mountains, but those mild conditions will soon give way to a dramatic weather shift. Winds are projected to peak with gusts of 60 to 80 mph in mountain ridges and 35-45 mph in lower valleys, especially between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday. This could lead to impacts on aviation and travel restrictions for high-profile vehicles.
Precipitation will arrive in two rounds, starting with the cold front on Sunday and another round Monday afternoon, bringing light rain to the valleys and snowfall above 7,500 feet. Snow levels are expected to drop to 5,500 to 6,500 feet overnight into Monday, but significant accumulation is not anticipated.