There was snow flying on Kingsbury Grade at 5:45 a.m. today. Expect more of the same though the day.
Genoa, Nev. — It’s snowing and blowing on Kingsbury Grade this morning, though the state hasn’t implemented chain controls as of 5:30 a.m. I expect that will change in the next few hours as the storm moves south.
Snow is dumping on Mount Rose, which has the dubious distinction of being the first route in Western Nevada affected by chain controls. Highway 88 west of Woodfords and Interstate 80 from Truckee west is also requiring chains. A winter weather advisory took effect at 5 a.m.
With a 40 mph wind gust at Minden-Tahoe Airport at 5:15 a.m., it appears that Mother Nature didn’t bring a watch. A high wind warning goes into effect from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Gusts of 60-80 mph are possible in the foothills and along the Highway 395 corridor. There’s a high-profile vehicle prohibition through Washoe Valley.
There weren’t any power outages when I looked this morning, but with the blustery weather, don’t be surprised. As the front rolls in, high winds and dry conditions will result in critical fire conditions.
The weekend saw new high temperature records for both April 9 and 10, with 79 and 80 degrees, according to National Weather Service records.
As is typical of spring in Western Nevada, after cracking a high temperature two days ago, there’s a chance of snow this afternoon in Carson Valley. Forecasters are giving 4-5 odds that something will arrive and maybe even stick a little.
The high today is forecast to hit 51 degrees in Minden, which is only 6 degrees warmer than it is at the airport this morning.
Kurt Hildebrand is editor of The Record-Courier. Reach him at khildebrand@recordcourier.com
