Temps in Carson City area

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by Sable8484

Carson is really low enough to have only had about three 6 in snows this past winter. It is mild, but too cool mid winter for my comfort in the am and later pm to be out doing much. If I don't buy a mobile this year, I will likely leave permanently.

So Carson City or even Dayton doesn't get much snow so it isn't necessary to get an AWD vehicle for snow?

Does Fernley and Fallon get lots of snow to warrant a new vehicle purchase with AWD?

[ChrisMT]

You do not NEED AWD in Carson City. You would be wise to have a FWD vehicle for your next purchase, but you can get by with RWD. There are plenty of people who live up at Tahoe even with FWD or RWD vehicles. You might have to 'chain-up' (nowadays 'cable-up') during storms though. You absolutely should have all-season tires on your vehicles here. I drove a RWD truck as a teen for years in Carson City. My FWD sedan was excellent in the ice and snow and my current AWD is actually about the same as the FWD sedan as far as sliding potential if I am not careful (pesky anti-lock brakes actually can make braking worse on ice).

Every winter is unique in Northern Nevada...sometimes we get a great deal of snow and it hangs around and other years we get 6 inches at most several times a month and it melts off fast. Lately, the city has been using the pre-treatments on many of the roads before a storm so ice doesn't really have a chance to hang around. It is usually VERY sunny here so most roads clear up by the late afternoon after a storm.

No, Fernley and Fallon do not get as much snow as Reno, Carson or Douglas County.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by ChrisMT

You do not NEED AWD in Carson City. You would be wise to have a FWD vehicle for your next purchase, but you can get by with RWD. There are plenty of people who live up at Tahoe even with FWD or RWD vehicles. You might have to 'chain-up' (nowadays 'cable-up') during storms though. You absolutely should have all-season tires on your vehicles here. I drove a RWD truck as a teen for years in Carson City. My FWD sedan was excellent in the ice and snow and my current AWD is actually about the same as the FWD sedan as far as sliding potential if I am not careful (pesky anti-lock brakes actually can make braking worse on ice).

Every winter is unique in Northern Nevada...sometimes we get a great deal of snow and it hangs around and other years we get 6 inches at most several times a month and it melts off fast. Lately, the city has been using the pre-treatments on many of the roads before a storm so ice doesn't really have a chance to hang around. It is usually VERY sunny here so most roads clear up by the late afternoon after a storm.

No, Fernley and Fallon do not get as much snow as Reno, Carson or Douglas County.

I only have rear wheel drive vehicles and you can't put on chains on them.

[Vic Romano]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

So Carson City or even Dayton doesn't get much snow so it isn't necessary to get an AWD vehicle for snow?

Does Fernley and Fallon get lots of snow to warrant a new vehicle purchase with AWD?

Not really. If you have a truck or SUV, it might be helpful to get 3 Peak tires (winter designated, not the same as dedicated snow tires). But still not necessary. I have a RWD truck with 3 Peak tires. One AWD and one FWD with all-season tires. Never had any problems, but I make sure I don't go out when it's icy (night/very early morning after a snow or rain).

The snow increases significantly over 5,000 feet. Below that you're really more worried about ice in the mornings. Even if there's an occasional heavy snow (over 6 inches) it usually melts in one or two days.

There might be occasions I-80 might be closed or chains are required between Fernley and Reno, but again that is relatively rare and only for one or two days.

Pay attention to the weatherman and you can plan around it...

Regarding Sable's comment, Tahoe is 7-10 degrees cooler than Carson City, not the other way around...

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by Vic Romano

Not really. If you have a truck or SUV, it might be helpful to get 3 Peak tires (winter designated, not the same as dedicated snow tires). But still not necessary. I have a RWD truck with 3 Peak tires. One AWD and one FWD with all-season tires. Never had any problems, but I make sure I don't go out when it's icy (night/very early morning after a snow or rain).

The snow increases significantly over 5,000 feet. Below that you're really more worried about ice in the mornings. Even if there's an occasional heavy snow (over 6 inches) it usually melts in one or two days.

There might be occasions I-80 might be closed or chains are required between Fernley and Reno, but again that is relatively rare and only for one or two days.

Pay attention to the weatherman and you can plan around it...

Regarding Sable's comment, Tahoe is 7-10 degrees cooler than Carson City, not the other way around...

Does the snow or chemicals they use in these areas in Northern Nevada rot out the bottom of your car?

[Vic Romano]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

Does the snow or chemicals they use in these areas in Northern Nevada rot out the bottom of your car?

They use a brine. You will see light ripples of white stuff on the road the day before a snowstorm. I have not seen many rusty cars at all in the valley. As long as you get a periodic car wash during the winter and early spring where they wash the undercarriage you will be fine. Nothing like the salt they use back east. Remember it's dry here too.