White Christmas not looking promising for Carson City

Those dreaming of a white Christmas in the Western Nevada valleys are likely to be disappointed.

Leading up to Christmas, it is expected to be dry, but cloudy with cooler temperatures this weekend, according to Brian Brong, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Reno.

While the bad news is there won’t be a white Christmas, the good news is clear weather patterns won’t affect travel for Santa.

“It looks pretty dry for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,” Brong said. “It should be good sailing for Santa and his crew.”

The transition from fall to winter led to some rainfall in Carson City this week. Brong said the capital received 1/3- to ¾-of an inch of precipitation.

Heading into the new year weather patterns continue to look dry, however there are chances for storms.

“We are eyeing a few storms that might move in sometime between Dec. 26 and Jan. 2,” Brong said.

Brong said those planning to drive up the Sierra should be mindful of travel over the holidays.

“There’s quite of a bit of people who come up into the mountains that aren’t always accustomed to driving in the snow,” he said. “So, if you have to go up and over the mountain passes over Christmas and New Year’s, plan for a lot longer of a travel time.”

National Weather Service forecast: 

Wednesday, Dec. 20: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46 degrees. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday night: A 20 percent chance of rain after 11 p.m. Snow level 7,300 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain before 11 a.m. Snow level 7,000 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20.

Christmas Eve: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Christmas Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

Monday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.