Blustery morning heralds fall's first storm

Leaves and tumbleweeds raced through Carson Valley streets as the first real storm of Fall 2020 arrived in Western Nevada.

Minden-Tahoe Airport has recorded four wind gusts over 30 mph since 7:30 a.m. Friday, with the fastest being 36 mph at 8:55 a.m.

Visibility at the airport dropped to 1.5 miles at 6:35 a.m. due to dust blowing into the Valley.

East Fork firefighters responded to a report that a tree fell into utility lines at around 9:30 a.m. on Lyell Way.

Temperatures rose to the low 60s this morning as warm air was pushed south by a cold front that could bring snow to Carson Valley on Sunday.

National Weather Service forecasters are predicting a chance of showers after 4 p.m. today with the snow level lowering from 8,300 feet to 4,900 feet.

Rain showers could change to light snow after 8 p.m. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.

There’s a chance precipitation in the form of snow showers could fall on Saturday, with a winter weather advisory going into effect for Western Nevada at 10 p.m.

Forecasters say snow is expected with accumulations of 1-4 inches early Sunday morning and a chance of local amounts of up to 7 inches.

“Even light snowfall causes major travel delays, especially during periods of high-traffic volume,” forecasters advised. “Be sure to allow extra time to reach your destination. Leave extra space between vehicles since it takes longer to stop on slick roadways.”

A wind advisory is in effect at Lake Tahoe through 4 p.m. today with waves 2-4 feet from the middle of the Lake to the northern and eastern shores.