[CVRC] Special Weather Statement for Carson City, NV

[Dick Flanagan]

Special Weather Statement
Statement as of 11:20 AM PDT on October 13, 2009

...HIGH WIND WARNING in effect for the Sierra and parts of
western Nevada from 5 PM PDT this afternoon until 5 am PDT
Wednesday...

...Storm information...
an intense storm system will impact much of the western U.S.
Today into Wednesday. For the Sierra...western Nevada and
northeast California. Heavy rain combined with very strong winds
may result in hazardous driving conditions...downed trees...mud or
rock slides near steep Sierra terrain...and some fence or roof
damage. Power outages will also be possible.

...Heavy precipitation...
the heaviest precipitation will fall during the remainder of today
and into this evening. Rainfall rates could exceed one half inch
per hour at times in the Sierra while lower elevations could see
rates up to one quarter inch per hour.

Recent dry conditions and little to no snowpack will preclude
flooding of mainstem rivers. However heavy rainfall will produce
rises on smaller creeks and streams and may cause minor flooding
in urban settings and near steep terrain.

...Total rain and snowfall amounts...
for the eastern Sierra...from Lassen County southward to Mono
County...2 to 6 inches of rain are likely by late tonight. Several
feet of snow are likely in the Sierra above 9000 feet.

For the lower elevations of western Nevada and eastern California
east of Highway 395...one-half inch to one inch of rain is
possible. Local amounts up to 2 inches are possible in foothill
locations near Reno and Carson City.

...Winds...
this storm will bring extremely strong wind gusts of 120 to 140
mph over Sierra ridges through tonight. Winds will gust up to 45
mph at times in the lower elevations of the eastern Sierra and
Lake Tahoe basin today...with gusts up to 65 mph at times this
evening and overnight.

South to southwest wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph will also affect
areas of northeast California and western Nevada today. A brief
period of strong wind gusts up to 65 mph is anticipated in western
Nevada valleys from Reno to Hawthorne later this evening and
overnight.

...Travel impacts...
heavy snow in the High Sierra will make travel difficult over the
highest Sierra passes including Mount Rose Summit...Sonora
pass...and Tioga Pass. Several feet of snow may cause Road
closures on the seasonal Sierra passes. Several inches of
accumulation may also affect portions of highways 4...88 and 89
including...Carson Pass...Luther Pass...Ebbetts Pass and Monitor
Pass.

Snow levels around 8000 feet will rise to 9000 feet or higher by
late this afternoon. Snow levels will lower to 7500 to 8000 feet
Wednesday morning as precipitation begins to taper off.

Slick roads and ponding of water from moderate to heavy rain will
result in hazardous driving conditions this afternoon and tonight.
Oil buildup on Road surfaces during the dry weather from the past
couple of months will also add to the slick conditions as the
roads become wet. Motorists should slow down to prevent
hydroplaning and increase distance between vehicles to allow for
extra stopping distance.

Continue to check our website at weather.Gov/Reno...local media or
NOAA Weather Radio for updates on this storm system.

Mjd


521 am PDT Tue Oct 13 2009

...Wind Advisory in effect through 2 PM PDT this afternoon for
Mono County and parts of western Nevada...

...High Wind Warning in effect for the Sierra and parts of western
Nevada from 5 PM PDT this afternoon until 5 am PDT Wednesday...

...Storm information...
an intense storm system will impact much of the western U.S.
Today into Wednesday. For the Sierra...western Nevada and
northeast California...heavy rain combined with very strong winds
may result in hazardous driving conditions...downed trees...mud or
rock slides near steep Sierra terrain...and some fence or roof
damage. Power outages will also be possible.

...Heavy precipitation...
the heaviest precipitation will fall in a 12 hour period today
from noon until midnight. Rainfall rates could reach one inch per
hour at times in the Sierra while valley locations could see
rates up to one-half inch per hour.

Recent dry conditions and little to no snowpack will preclude
flooding of mainstem rivers. However heavy rainfall will produce
rises on smaller creeks and streams and may cause minor flooding
in urban settings and near steep terrain.

...Total rain and snowfall amounts...
for the eastern Sierra...from Lassen County southward to Mono
County...2 to 6 inches of rain are likely by late tonight. Several
feet of snow are likely in the Sierra above 9000 feet.

For the lower elevations of western Nevada and eastern California
east of Highway 395...one-half inch to one inch of rain is
possible. Local amounts up to 2 inches are possible in foothill
locations near Reno and Carson City.

...Winds...
this storm will bring extremely strong wind gusts of 120 to 140
mph over Sierra ridges. Winds will gust up to 45 mph at times in
the lower elevations of the eastern Sierra and Lake Tahoe basin
today...with gusts up to 65 mph at times this evening and
overnight.

South to southwest wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will also affect
areas of northeast California and western Nevada today. A brief
period of strong wind gusts up to 65 mph is anticipated in
western NV valleys from Reno to Hawthorne this evening and
tonight.

...Travel impacts...
heavy snow in the High Sierra will make travel difficult over the
highest Sierra passes including Mount Rose Summit...Sonora
pass...and Tioga Pass. Several feet of snow may cause Road
closures on the seasonal Sierra passes. Several inches of
accumulation may also affect portions of highways 4...88 and 89
including...Carson Pass...Luther Pass...Ebbetts Pass and Monitor
Pass.

Snow levels will start around 8000 feet this morning and rise to
9000 feet or higher by late this afternoon. Snow levels will lower
to 7500 to 8000 feet Wednesday morning as precipitation begins to
taper off.

Slick roads and ponding of water from moderate to heavy rain will
result in hazardous driving conditions this afternoon and tonight.
This is also the first rain after a prolonged dry period which
brings up the oil on roadway surfaces. Motorists should slow down
to prevent hydroplaning and allow for plenty of stopping distance
between you and the car in front of you.

Continue to check our website at weather.Gov/Reno...local media or
NOAA Weather Radio for updates on this storm system.

Rc/Jordan
--
Dick Flanagan K7VC
dick at k7vc.com