Carson City to have wet final week of 2022, weather service says

The Christmas holiday weekend will be dry and mild before storms return to western Nevada next week, according to the National Weather Service.

“More active weather returns next week through the start of 2023, with the potential for several storm systems to bring valley rain and mountain snow, along with plenty of wind,” the NWS Reno office reported Dec. 23.

High pressure is expected to build over the Sierra this weekend, creating valley inversions and nighttime and morning fog.

“These inversions should not be quite as strong as we saw last week with temperatures milder for most areas,” said the NWS.

Christmas revelers can expect highs to reach the low 50s after cold mornings. High clouds and light winds are expected through Christmas Day.

The forecast for Monday through Friday, on the other hand, includes a potent atmospheric river.

“As this jet draws subtropical moisture northward, a moderate to strong atmospheric river will be possible mainly in the late Monday into Tuesday timeframe,” said the NWS.

The change in weather will come with strong winds (45-50 mph), high snow level, and an estimated 1 inch of rainfall in the lower valleys. The snow level may dip below 6,000 feet Wednesday morning.

“Be sure to keep a close eye on the forecast for next week if you have trans-Sierra travel plans and be prepared to adjust accordingly,” advised the NWS. “After this storm departs, the pattern looks to remain active next week with the potential for cooler reinforcing systems to move through periodically through New Year’s weekend.”

Because of a wet early winter, the Sierra snowpack remains in good shape. According to the California Department of Water Resources, all regions of the Sierra are well above the average snow content for this time of year. The southern Sierra, with 183 percent of normal, has seen the greatest accumulations.