Light snow should be ending today

Unlike a year ago when Carson City streets received their first plowing of the winter, the area received only light snowfall Monday afternoon.

Last year's storm dropped up to 8 inches of snow by midday and wreaked havoc on holiday travelers and shoppers. Accumulations of 1-3 inches were predicted for the Carson City area by the time the storm breaks up later today.

"The most action of this weather is happening (Monday)," said National Weather Service Meteorologist Jon Bonk.

"We could have a slight chance of showers Wednesday with occasional showers until then."

Bonk said there will be a brief break in the weather Wednesday, with another system coming in Thursday night.

"It will start with mostly rain, then possibly a changeover to mix of rain and snow by the weekend. But I cannot say for sure; there's too much variability."

Bringing in the cold, snowy weather are two low fronts. One is from the Gulf of Alaska, the other a subtropical low that started north of Hawaii.

Bonk said the subtropical front brought warm moisture into the colder air delivered from the Gulf of Alaska. As they push east, western Nevada receives the warm air system.

"This time of year, winter weather can take on many forms. It's not surprising to get rain, and it's not surprising to get snow. It depends on how the position of the storm track sets up."

Today's weather will include mostly cloudy skies with southwest winds 15-20 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. Tonight, the snow level will be around 6,500 feet.

Carson City's average high temperature for November is 55.5 degrees; the average low is 26.1. Average total precipitation is 1.21 inches; average snowfall is 1.1 inches, with average snow depth 0 inches.

When western valleys are described in weather forecasts, Bonk said it is generic for a complex terrain.

"There are so many of them (valleys), the term is used for everything between Reno and Walker Lake," he said.

The area includes Carson Valley, Washoe Lake and valley and the Truckee Meadows areas. Carson City's elevation is 4,650 feet above sea level.

Several accidents on Highway 50A and Highway 95A prompted the Lyon County Sheriff's Office to ask that Highway 95A from the Fernley-Reno Raceway to Silver Springs and Highway 50A between Main Street in Fernley to Hazen be closed due to snow and ice.

Deputies were working several accidents Monday evening.

On Interstate 80 at 10 p.m. Monday, chains were required 11 miles west of the California state line to Nyack. Chains or snow tires were required on Spooner Summit to the California state line, and were mandatory from Meyers to 2 miles west of Kyburz, Calif.

For winter road conditions, go to www.nevadadot.com or call 1 (877) 687-6237.

n Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

Ski areas opening

Heavenly Mountain Resort

Will open Wednesday; Dipper, Orion's, Comet, Big Easy and California trail scheduled to open this week

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Planning to open on Thursday. Don't know how much terrain yet; don't even know which lifts yet; might only be Chair 5 until the

weekend

Sierra At Tahoe

Could open as soon as this weekend. They reported at least 8 inches of snow had fallen as of press time

Monday

Squaw Valley USA

Opening date for skiing and boarding is

Saturday

Alpine Meadows

Opens Friday

Northstar

Will open for the season Wednesday

Mount Rose

Needs a packed base of 10-12 inches to open

Boreal

Open daily; had 6 inches of fresh snow as of 3 p.m. Monday, with snow still falling

Royal Gorge

Expected opening is Saturday

Soda Springs

Tentatively scheduled to open Friday

Diamond Peak

Expected opening is Dec. 15, weather permitting

Mammoth Mountain

Open and reporting a base depth of 6-12 inches with machine-groomed snow and obstacles

June Mountain

Opening Dec. 10, weather permitting