Road closed due to sandstorm reopened

Highway 50, closed from Stagecoach to Silver Springs at 1 p.m. due to a sandstorm, was reopened at 2 p.m., according to Capt. Jeff Page of the Lyon County Sheriff's Department and the Nevada Highway Patrol.

The highway was first closed at 10:45 a.m. due to blowing sand that reduced visibility to zero, was reopened at 12:45 p.m. with drivers being led by Nevada Department of Transportation pilot cars, lthe NHP said.

Sgt. Blair Harkleroad of the Carson substation said pilot cars were in use from Boyer Lane in Stagecoach to the Ramsey Weeks cutoff in Silver Springs.

Harlkeroad said there was one accident with minor claim injury on the highway before the pilot cars were put in place.

In Washoe Valley, Highway 395 was under a wind warning with campers and trailers prohibited from 14 miles south of Reno to Carson City, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol's road advisory service.

The greater Reno-Carson City-Minden area was placed under a high wind warning by the National Weather Service at 12:249 p.m. today. The warning will remain until 6 tonight.

The weather service says residents should expect south winds of 25 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph in the foothills and wind prone areas are expected. Travel is proving particularly difficult for high profile vehicles along Highway 395 through Washoe Valley and north of Reno where there have been reports of trucks being blown over.

A high wind warning means winds are blowing at sustained speeds of at least 40 mph with gusts of 58 mph or more. These can lead to property damage and very difficult driving conditions for high-profile vehicles.

Today's forecast call for mostly cloudy skies, scattered showers this afternoon with the snow level lowering to 6,500 feet. Highs 52 to 62. Tonight expect mostly cloudy with scattered showers in the evening. Snow level will drop to 5,500 feet. Lows 27 to 37. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

For Thursday expect mostly cloudy skies with wind and a slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Snow level 6,000 to 6,500 feet. Highs 44 to 54. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 45 mph in the afternoon.