A weak to moderate late season winter storm will push through the region Thursday, leaving a few inches of mountain snow at best, and leaving the valley blown around a bit, but probably not very wet. Gusty winds will create a significant rain shadow in western Nevada, although a few scattered showers of rain and/or snow could spill over late in the day and into the evening, but it is unlikely we will see any accumulations below the upper foothills. Temperatures will drop into the mid-50s Thursday and Friday before warming quickly back into the upper 60s Saturday and the mid-70s on Sunday under mostly sunny skies.

Once April 1 rolls along, most people’s thoughts turn away from winter pursuits. When it comes to water supplies, April 1 is designated as the end of the “snow year.” Tom wonders: “Having lived in western Nevada for over 30 years, in at least one out of every three years there is more snow in the Sierra in mid-April than at the beginning. I have always argued that the April 1 final measurement of the snowpack is too early. I say we make the final snowpack measurement on April 16. What do you think?”

I’ll tell you what I think tomorrow.