Heavy snow falls in Carson Valley

Heavy snow weighed down trees and utility wires in central Carson Valley on Sunday morning.

A National Weather Service spotter in Sheridan Acres reported 6.5 inches of snow fell in the Sierra foothills since 11 p.m. Saturday. Lower elevations in the Valley received between 3 and 4 inches of snow.

Lake effect snows dropped snow in a band from South Lake Tahoe across Carson Valley.

Heavy snow caused power lines to arc at about 8:45 a.m. at Main Street and Candy Dance Lane in Genoa, prompting firefighters to call the power company. Power is out to the west side of the highway, according to firefighters onscene.

A large branch blocked Fifth Street in Minden between County Road and Mono Avenue.

A report of a power line arcing on Russell between Muir and Wheeler in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

Much of the snow fell between Genoa and Minden, with the National Weather Service reporting most falling just west of the Douglas County seat.

Snow weighed down trees, which still have their green leaves.

Minden residents Jay Aldrich and Tina Fixman were out walking Sunday morning.

"Last weekend we went to the Lake and sat on the beach because it was so hot," Fixman said. "This is why I love the West. Wait a little bit and the weather will change."

A week ago, high temperatures were hitting 90 degrees, but today the weather service is forecasting a high temperature of slightly more than half that.

While snow accumulated on lawns and rooftops, it melted on the roads, leaving some slush in places. The band of snow stretching east from Lake Tahoe dropped off in the northern part of the Valley. Indian Hills received a dusting of snow from the storm, more in line with what forecasters predicted.

Roads are slushy in Minden and Gardnerville, where more snow fell.

Snowplows are out clearing the roads. Snow tires or chains are being required over Kingsbury Grade, but there are no other road restrictions in the Valley. Four-wheel drive or chains are being required on Highway 50 over Echo Summit and Highway 88 over Carson Pass. Chains and snowtires are also required from Jacks Wright Pass to Wellington.