A winter storm is headed for Carson City on Friday, but there's a good chance the weather event will happen after 8 p.m., missing the Silver and Snowflakes Festival of Lights at the Nevada State Capitol Building.
"It will be more than likely that people will be able to get out before it even starts," said National Weather Service Meteorologist Dawn Johnson. "It looks like the brunt of the impacts will happen overnight Friday night, with some snow beginning after 8 p.m., and the heaviest snow after midnight."
While Mother Nature may hold off on any heavy snow in time for annual holiday event from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Nevada State Capitol Building and through downtown Carson City, temperatures Friday night will be in the low 20s. Johnson, a meteorologist at the weather service's Reno office, urged all Silver and Snowflakes festival participants to "bundle up" for the event.
Meanwhile, a Winter Storm Watch issued by the National Weather Servic is in effect for the Lake Tahoe area. A foot or more snow is possible in the Sierra above 7,000 feet with several inches in the Tahoe Basin and Sierra valleys.
Accumulating snow is also likely through Saturday afternoon. Travel will be impacted across the region, so allow extra time to reach your destination and make sure to have the proper winter travel supplies.
This system will bring a reinforcing shot of cold air with the potential for Sunday morning to be the coldest morning so far this year.
The high temperature Thursday is expected to be 28, with a low of 8 Thursday night. Friday will be partly sunny with a high of 32 and a low of 18. Snow is expected to arrive Friday night, with the heaviest after midnight.
Saturday will bring a 40 percent chance of snow with a high of 27 and a low of 1. Cold weather continues with a high of 25 on Sunday and a low of 3 Sunday night.
A video by the weather service regarding the cold winter weather can be viewed below.