Forecast calls for snowy weekend

Forecasters are saying a foot of snow could accumulate in Carson Valley from a powerful winter storm that is heading south from the Gulf of Alaska.

Meteorologist Shane Snyder said a couple of big fronts are heading toward Northern Nevada.

"We have a couple of big waves coming through," Snyder said. "The first wave is coming in late Friday night and then there might be a little break before we're hit with another on Saturday night."

Snyder said there could be a couple of inches of snow arriving with the first front tonight, but the big storm will hit on Saturday night.

"It's not out of the question that we'll get another 6 inches on Saturday night," he said. "We'll be pushing a foot of snow when all's said and done after Sunday."

Snyder said the impending storm is very cold.

"Anything that falls will go over to snow pretty quickly," he said. "It's very cold and there's quite a hunk of moisture with it."

Today's forecast is for rain mostly after 4 p.m. with southwest wind at 25 mph, gusting to 45 mph. The rain is expected to change to snow at 10 p.m. with new snow accumulations of 1-3 inches possible.

A winter storm watch goes into effect late tonight.

Forecasters expect the snow to continue through Saturday with 6-12 inches possible by Sunday morning. An estimated 1-3 inches of snow is expected on Sunday before the storm tapers off.

Snow remains in the forecast through Tuesday.

The National Weather Service warns motorists that they should avoid travel through the Sierra this weekend.