Snowy, cold, windy New Year forecast for northern Nevada

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003 | 7:07 a.m.

New Year's Eve revelers may want to take their celebrating inside across northern Nevada.

A winter storm warning is in effect for the Lake Tahoe Basin starting Wednesday night and lasting through New Year's Day with about 5 inches falling at lake level and up to a foot at the higher elevations.

Snow is expected to reach the valley floors around Reno Wednesday night, leaving up to 3 inches by morning.

A a winter storm warning also is in effect from Winnemucca east to northern Elko County for up to 8 inches of snow by New Year's Day.

Along with heavy snow and temperatures well below freezing tonight, strong winds are forecast. Elko and White Pine counties are under a blowing snow advisory.

Gusts to 40 mph and higher were forecast through New Year's Day.

"If the storm develops as anticipated, it could make for very uncomfortable conditions," National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Brown said in Reno.

It was snowing at Tahoe's south shore early Wednesday, where thousands of people were expected to jam the casino core to welcome the new year.

"In the 25 years I've been up there for the holiday, it hasn't snowed," Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini said. "This year, it will be interesting to see how long people linger outside in the snow and the wind."

Chain or snow tire requirements were dropped at midmorning for Interstate-80 over Donner Summit and U.S. 50 over Echo Summit, but driving restrictions remained on most other Sierra roadways.

After Tuesday's surprise snow, this storm skirted southern Nevada, promising only cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 30s to welcome in the new year.