The R-C Morning Report

A storm's headed this way that's expected to bring gusty winds of 45 mph or more to areas along Highway 395 from Susanville south into Mono County during the night on Saturday. Rain and snow are expected to arrive in Western Nevada by Sunday morning with snow levels dropping to Lake Tahoe's elevation by early Monday morning. Several inches of snow are possible over Donner Pass and Echo Summit, according to the National Weather Service.

With all the human endeavors buzzing around it's hard to remember that Mother Nature had a pretty remarkable October. The Carson River basin received more than four times its average moisture during the month. Most of that fell down in the flat, with Carson receiving 628 percent of average and Minden coming in a close second with 602 percent. Both communities have had 42 percent of their total moisture for the year. Up in the mountains it wasn't quite so impressive. Blue Lakes posted a paltry 288 percent of average, while Ebbetts Pass at the head of the East Fork had 368 percent of average.

It wasn't just the Carson, though. The Walker, Truckee and Tahoe basins all had in the vicinity of 400 percent for the year. Unfortunately, most of that moisture soaked into the ground or ran down the river. The snow telemetry at Ebbetts Pass is reading a snow depth of an inch and no water at all.

Today's forecast is for mostly sunny skies with the high near 72 degrees and a little breezier than Thursday. Remember to turn your clocks back on Sunday and replace those smoke detector batteries.