Cold Fall Storm to Bring Rain and Snow to Sierra and Northern Nevada Next Week

Temperatures will peak on Saturday, with highs in the mid-to-upper 80s in western Nevada and the mid-70s in the Sierra valleys.Photo byTimon StudleronUnsplash

A cold fall storm is set to bring significant changes to the weather across Northern Nevada and the Sierra beginning Sunday night and continuing into next week. According to the National Weather Service in Reno, the region will see a brief warming trend through Saturday, followed by increasing winds and cooler temperatures as the storm approaches.

Temperatures will peak on Saturday, with highs in the mid-to-upper 80s in western Nevada and the mid-70s in the Sierra valleys. However, the weather will change drastically by Sunday as southwest winds strengthen, with gusts reaching up to 35 mph in some areas and even higher on ridges, potentially reaching 50 mph. While the gusty winds raise fire weather concerns, higher humidity will limit the threat.

By Sunday night, a cold Pacific storm will move into the area, bringing widespread rain and snow to higher elevations. Snow levels are expected to drop to between 6,500 and 7,000 feet by Monday morning, potentially affecting travel over Sierra passes. Some roads may experience snow accumulation, creating tricky driving conditions for early commuters, especially given that the winter season has not yet begun. Areas above 7,500 feet could see snowfall accumulations of at least an inch, with Mono County’s crest having a 70% chance of receiving measurable snow.