Alert archive / California / Winter Storm Warnings in 2015

Winter Storm Warning 5, NWS Reno, NV

December 20, 20157 counties in California; Douglas County, Washoe County, Nevada

NWS Reno, NV issued this winter storm warning at Dec 20, 2015, 3:25 PM PST for 7 counties in California; Douglas County, Washoe County, Nevada. It took effect at Dec 21, 2015, 4:00 AM PST. It was in force for 29 hr. 13 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Dec 20, 2015, 3:25 PM PST (23:25 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 21, 2015, 4:00 AM PST
Expired
Dec 22, 2015, 9:02 AM PST
In force
29 hr
Issued by
NWS Reno, NV

Counties Alpine County, CA, El Dorado County, CA, Lassen County, CA, Nevada County, CA, Placer County, CA, Plumas County, CA, Sierra County, CA, Douglas County, NV, Washoe County, NV

The radar

The Reno radar (KRGX), 80 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:25 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Dec 21, 7:30 AM PSTSNOW 6Bear Valley, CA24 HOUR SNOW REPORT.
Dec 21, 5:00 PM PSTHEAVY SNOW 81 Ne Incline Village, NVTRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 8 INCHES OF NEW SNOWFALL FROM 5AM-5PM AT 6700 FEET. 32 DEGREES AND STILL SNOWING HEAVILY.
Dec 21, 5:40 PM PSTHEAVY SNOW 12Dagget Pass, NVCOOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER REPORTED 12 INCHES OF NEW SNOWFALL WITH A CURRENT DEPTH OF 24 INCHES. OBSERVER REPORTED STILL VERY HEAVY SNOWFALL.
Dec 21, 5:50 PM PSTHEAVY SNOW 123 Ene Alpine Meadows, CATRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 12 INCHES OF NEW SNOWFALL AT 7000 FEET.CURRENTLY 32 DEGREES AND SNOWING HEAVILY.
Dec 22, 6:38 AM PSTHEAVY SNOW 22Bear Valley, CAREPORT FROM BEAR VALLEY SKI RESORT IN ALPINE COUNTY.
Dec 22, 7:24 AM PSTHEAVY SNOW 95 E Incline Village, NVDIAMOND PEAK SKI RESORT REPORTED 9 INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.
Dec 22, 7:26 AM PSTHEAVY SNOW 36Heavenly Valley, NVHEAVENLY SKI RESORT REPORTED 36 INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.
Dec 22, 7:27 AM PSTHEAVY SNOW 34Northstar, CANORTHSTAR SKI RESORT REPORTED 34 INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.
Dec 22, 7:29 AM PSTHEAVY SNOW 1110 W Truckee, CASUGAR BOWL SKI AREA REPORTED 11 INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.
Dec 22, 7:31 AM PSTHEAVY SNOW 226 Wnw Truckee, CATAHOE DONNER SKI AREA REPORTED 22 INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.
Dec 22, 8:41 AM PSTHEAVY SNOW 01 E Soda Springs, CA3.1 INCHES SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT 12 AM MONDAY TO 12 AM TUESDAY. CENTRAL SIERRA SNOW LAB SNOTEL
Dec 22, 8:41 AM PSTHEAVY SNOW 08 Sw South Lake Tahoe, CAECHO PEAK SNOTEL 4.6 INCHES SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT 12 AM MONDAY TO 12 AM TUESDAY
Dec 22, 9:00 AM PSTHEAVY SNOW 16Kingvale, CA24 HOUR SNOW TOTAL.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Reno, NV (KREV), launched 12:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 184 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Reno, NV at 12:00Z on 2015-12-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Reno, NV at 12:00Z on 2015-12-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 24 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1815 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
24 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
61 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

654 
WWUS45 KREV 202325
WSWREV

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
325 PM PST SUN DEC 20 2015

CAZ072-NVZ002-211200-
/O.NEW.KREV.WS.W.0005.151221T1800Z-151222T1800Z/
GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...SOUTH LAKE TAHOE...TRUCKEE...
INCLINE VILLAGE
325 PM PST SUN DEC 20 2015

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO 10 AM PST
TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO 10 AM PST
TUESDAY. 

* TIMING: PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW BEGINNING MONDAY MORNING AND
  CONTINUING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 18-36 INCHES ABOVE 7000 FEET. TOTALS WILL
  VARY WIDELY BELOW 7000 FEET DUE TO SNOW LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS.
  GENERALLY...4-12 INCHES WITH HIGHEST AMOUNTS ALONG AND WEST OF
  HIGHWAY 89. 

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST 10 TO 25 WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH MONDAY
  MORNING...TAPERING DOWN BY MONDAY AFTERNOON WITH ONSET OF
  HEAVIER PRECIPITATION.

* SNOW LEVELS: STARTING AT 6000 FEET MONDAY MORNING...RISING TO
  AROUND 7000 FEET BY TUESDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE NEAR
  WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. SIGNIFICANT DELAYS
  AND CHAIN CONTROLS ARE LIKELY ON INTERSTATE 80...AND HIGHWAYS
  50...28...88...89...267...297...AND 431. DANGEROUS CONDITIONS
  WILL EXIST FOR BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND ANYONE OUTDOORS
  DURING THIS STORM COULD EASILY BECOME DISORIENTED. THE
  POSSIBILITY OF AVALANCHES WILL INCREASE...ESPECIALLY IN THE
  BACK COUNTRY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOWFALL RATES WILL EXCEED PLOWING CAPABILITIES AT TIMES.
ANTICIPATE LONG DELAYS AND VERY DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.
TRAVEL IS DISCOURAGED DURING THE PEAK SNOW INTENSITY EARLY
MONDAY AFTERNOON. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...CARRY AN EMERGENCY KIT
WITH EXTRA FOOD...WATER AND CLOTHING. IF YOU STAY HOME...HAVE A
BACKUP PLAN IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGES.

&&

$$

CAZ071-211200-
/O.NEW.KREV.WS.W.0005.151221T1200Z-151222T1200Z/
LASSEN-EASTERN PLUMAS-EASTERN SIERRA COUNTIES-
325 PM PST SUN DEC 20 2015

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM MONDAY TO 4 AM PST
TUESDAY ABOVE 5500 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING ABOVE 5500 FEET...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM MONDAY TO
4 AM PST TUESDAY. 

* TIMING: PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW BEGINNING EARLY MONDAY
  MORNING AND CONTINUING THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 8-14 INCHES ABOVE 5500 FEET WEST OF HIGHWAY
  395. 4-8 INCHES ABOVE 5500 FEET EAST OF HIGHWAY 395.

* WINDS: 10 TO 20 WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH EARLY MONDAY. WINDS
  DECREASING BY NOON DURING PERIOD OF HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION. 

* SNOW LEVELS: 5000 FEET SLOWLY RISING TO AROUND 7000 FEET BY
  TUESDAY MORNING. 

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE NEAR
  WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. TRAVEL DELAYS AND
  CHAIN CONTROLS ARE LIKELY ALONG HIGHWAYS
  36...44...49...70...89...AND HIGHWAY 395. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOWFALL RATES WILL EXCEED PLOWING CAPABILITIES AT TIMES.
ANTICIPATE LONG DELAYS AND VERY DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.
TRAVEL IS DISCOURAGED DURING THE PEAK SNOW INTENSITY EARLY
MONDAY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...PREPARE FOR LONG DELAYS AND CARRY AN
EMERGENCY KIT WITH EXTRA FOOD...WATER AND CLOTHING. IF YOU STAY
HOME...HAVE A BACKUP PLAN IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGES.

&&

$$

CAZ073-211200-
/O.EXB.KREV.WW.Y.0017.151221T1800Z-151223T0000Z/
MONO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BRIDGEPORT...MAMMOTH LAKES
325 PM PST SUN DEC 20 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO 4 PM
PST TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO 4 PM PST
TUESDAY. 

* TIMING: AFTER A COUPLE INCHES OF ACCUMULATION SUNDAY AND SUNDAY
  NIGHT...MORE CONSISTENT SNOW WILL FALL FROM EARLY MONDAY
  MORNING INTO EARLY TUESDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 6 TO 18 INCHES ALONG AND WEST OF HIGHWAY 395
  GENERALLY ABOVE 7500 FEET. 

* SNOW LEVELS: NEAR ALL VALLEY FLOORS RISING TO 7500 FEET BY
  TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE PERIODS
  OF NEAR WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. TRAVEL IS
  LIKELY TO BE IMPACTED ALONG HIGHWAY 395 AND 203 WITH DELAYS AND
  CHAIN CONTROLS POSSIBLE. DANGEROUS CONDITIONS WILL EXIST FOR
  BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND ANYONE OUTDOORS DURING THIS STORM
  COULD EASILY BECOME DISORIENTED. THE POSSIBILITY OF AVALANCHES
  WILL INCREASE...ESPECIALLY IN THE BACK COUNTRY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO POSE AN INCONVENIENCE TO TRAVELERS. ROADS WILL
BECOME SLICK AND HAZARDOUS...WITH SNOW AND ICE FIRST DEVELOPING ON
BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. MOTORISTS SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND USE
CAUTION. BE SURE TO ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION.
LEAVE EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN VEHICLES SINCE IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP
ON SLICK ROADWAYS.

&&

$$

CAZ070-NVZ005-211200-
/O.CON.KREV.WW.Y.0017.151221T1800Z-151222T1200Z/
SURPRISE VALLEY CALIFORNIA-NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CEDARVILLE...FORT BIDWELL
325 PM PST SUN DEC 20 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO
4 AM PST TUESDAY...

* TIMING: AFTER A COUPLE INCHES OF ACCUMULATION SUNDAY AND SUNDAY
  NIGHT...MORE CONSISTENT SNOW WILL FALL FROM EARLY MONDAY
  MORNING INTO EARLY TUESDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 2 TO 6 INCHES.

* SNOW LEVELS: NEAR OR AT ALL VALLEY FLOORS RISING TO 5500 TO
  6000 FEET BY EARLY TUESDAY MORNING. 

* IMPACTS: TRAVEL DELAYS WITH CHAIN REQUIREMENTS LIKELY OVER 
  CEDAR PASS WEST OF CEDARVILLE. ROADS THROUGH SURPRISE VALLEY 
  AND NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY WILL BE SLICK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EVEN LIGHT SNOW CAN CAUSE LONG TRAVEL DELAYS. BE SURE TO ALLOW
EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. LEAVE EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN
VEHICLES SINCE IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP ON SLICK ROADWAYS.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/RENO
4 follow-up statements
791 
WWUS45 KREV 211143
WSWREV

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
343 AM PST MON DEC 21 2015

CAZ072-NVZ002-220000-
/O.CON.KREV.WS.W.0005.151221T1800Z-151222T1800Z/
GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...SOUTH LAKE TAHOE...TRUCKEE...
INCLINE VILLAGE
343 AM PST MON DEC 21 2015

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING
TO 10 AM PST TUESDAY...

* TIMING: PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY
  MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 3 FEET ABOVE 7000 FEET. TOTALS WILL
  VARY WIDELY BELOW 7000 FEET DUE TO SNOW LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS...
  BUT WILL GENERALLY BE 4 TO 12 INCHES. THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS WILL
  BE ALONG AND WEST OF HIGHWAY 89.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 55 MPH
  TODAY...DECREASING TO 15 TO 25 WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH OVERNIGHT.
  RIDGE GUSTS UP TO 125 MPH.

* SNOW LEVELS: 5500 TO 6500 FEET. SNOW LEVELS COULD VARY THOUGH
  THE EVENT.

* LAKE TAHOE WAVE HEIGHTS: 2 TO 5 FEET WITH THE HIGHEST WAVES FROM
  MID LAKE TO NORTHEAST SHORES.

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE NEAR 
  WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. SIGNIFICANT 
  DELAYS AND CHAIN CONTROLS ARE LIKELY ON INTERSTATE 80...AND 
  HIGHWAYS 50...28...88...89...267...297...AND 431. DANGEROUS 
  CONDITIONS WILL EXIST FOR BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND ANYONE 
  OUTDOORS DURING THIS STORM COULD EASILY BECOME DISORIENTED. 
  THE POSSIBILITY OF AVALANCHES WILL INCREASE...ESPECIALLY IN 
  THE BACK COUNTRY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOWFALL RATES WILL EXCEED PLOWING CAPABILITIES AT TIMES.
ANTICIPATE LONG DELAYS AND VERY DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.
TRAVEL IS DISCOURAGED DURING THE PEAK SNOW INTENSITY THIS
AFTERNOON INTO EARLY TUESDAY MORNING. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...CARRY
AN EMERGENCY KIT WITH EXTRA FOOD...WATER AND CLOTHING. IF YOU STAY
HOME...HAVE A BACKUP PLAN IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGES.

&&

$$

CAZ071-220000-
/O.CON.KREV.WS.W.0005.151221T1200Z-151222T1200Z/
LASSEN-EASTERN PLUMAS-EASTERN SIERRA COUNTIES-
343 AM PST MON DEC 21 2015

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST TUESDAY
ABOVE 5500 FEET...

* TIMING: PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
  EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 8 TO 14 INCHES ABOVE 5500 FEET WEST OF
  HIGHWAY 395. 4 TO 8 INCHES ABOVE 5500 FEET EAST OF HIGHWAY 395.
  UP TO 2 INCHES BELOW 5500 FEET.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH
  TODAY...DECREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH
  OVERNIGHT.

* SNOW LEVELS: 5000 TO 6000 FEET. SNOW LEVELS MAY VARY THROUGH THE
  EVENT.

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE NEAR
  WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. TRAVEL DELAYS AND
  CHAIN CONTROLS ARE LIKELY ALONG HIGHWAYS 36...44...49...70...
  89...AND HIGHWAY 395.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOWFALL RATES WILL EXCEED PLOWING CAPABILITIES AT TIMES.
ANTICIPATE LONG DELAYS AND VERY DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.
TRAVEL IS DISCOURAGED DURING THE PEAK SNOW INTENSITY TODAY. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...PREPARE FOR LONG DELAYS AND CARRY AN EMERGENCY
KIT WITH EXTRA FOOD...WATER AND CLOTHING. IF YOU STAY HOME...HAVE
A BACKUP PLAN IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGES.

&&

$$

CAZ070-NVZ005-220000-
/O.CON.KREV.WW.Y.0017.151221T1800Z-151222T1200Z/
SURPRISE VALLEY CALIFORNIA-NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CEDARVILLE...FORT BIDWELL
343 AM PST MON DEC 21 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS
MORNING TO 4 AM PST TUESDAY...

* TIMING: THIS MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 2 TO 6 INCHES.

* SNOW LEVELS: NEAR OR AT ALL VALLEY FLOORS RISING TO 5000 TO 5500
  FEET BY EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS: TRAVEL DELAYS WITH CHAIN REQUIREMENTS LIKELY OVER 
  CEDAR PASS WEST OF CEDARVILLE. ROADS THROUGH SURPRISE VALLEY 
  AND NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY WILL BE SLICK AND ICY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EVEN LIGHT SNOW CAN CAUSE LONG TRAVEL DELAYS. BE SURE TO ALLOW
EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. LEAVE EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN
VEHICLES SINCE IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP ON SLICK ROADWAYS.

&&

$$

CAZ073-220000-
/O.CON.KREV.WW.Y.0017.151221T1800Z-151223T0000Z/
MONO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BRIDGEPORT...MAMMOTH LAKES
343 AM PST MON DEC 21 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS
MORNING TO 4 PM PST TUESDAY...

* TIMING: LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 6 TO 18 INCHES ALONG AND WEST OF HIGHWAY 395
  GENERALLY ABOVE 7000 FEET. 2 TO 5 INCHES EAST OF HIGHWAY 395.
  LITTLE TO NO ACCUMULATION BELOW 7000 FEET.

* SNOW LEVELS: NEAR ALL VALLEY FLOORS RISING TO 7000 TO 7500 FEET
  BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE 
  PERIODS OF NEAR WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. 
  TRAVEL IS LIKELY TO BE IMPACTED ALONG HIGHWAYS 395 AND 203 
  WITH DELAYS AND CHAIN CONTROLS POSSIBLE. DANGEROUS 
  CONDITIONS WILL EXIST FOR BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND ANYONE 
  OUTDOORS DURING THIS STORM COULD EASILY BECOME DISORIENTED. 
  THE POSSIBILITY OF AVALANCHES WILL INCREASE...ESPECIALLY IN 
  THE BACK COUNTRY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO POSE AN INCONVENIENCE TO TRAVELERS. ROADS
WILL BECOME SLICK AND HAZARDOUS...WITH SNOW AND ICE FIRST
DEVELOPING ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. MOTORISTS SHOULD SLOW DOWN
AND USE CAUTION. BE SURE TO ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. LEAVE EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN VEHICLES SINCE IT TAKES
LONGER TO STOP ON SLICK ROADWAYS.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/RENO
768 
WWUS45 KREV 212157
WSWREV

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
157 PM PST MON DEC 21 2015

CAZ072-NVZ002-221300-
/O.CON.KREV.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-151222T1800Z/
GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...SOUTH LAKE TAHOE...TRUCKEE...
INCLINE VILLAGE
157 PM PST MON DEC 21 2015

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST
TUESDAY...

* TIMING: PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY 
  MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 3 FEET ABOVE 7000 FEET. TOTALS WILL
  VARY WIDELY BELOW 7000 FEET DUE TO SNOW LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS...
  BUT WILL GENERALLY BE 4 TO 18 INCHES. THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS WILL
  BE ALONG AND WEST OF HIGHWAY 89.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 55 MPH TODAY... 
  DECREASING TO 15 TO 25 WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH OVERNIGHT. RIDGE 
  GUSTS UP TO 125 MPH.

* SNOW LEVELS: 6000 TO 7000 FEET. SNOW LEVELS MAY VARY THOUGH THE
  EVENT.

* LAKE TAHOE WAVE HEIGHTS: 2 TO 5 FEET WITH THE HIGHEST WAVES
  FROM MID LAKE TO NORTHEAST SHORES. 

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE NEAR
  WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. SIGNIFICANT DELAYS
  AND CHAIN CONTROLS ARE LIKELY ON INTERSTATE 80...AND HIGHWAYS
  50...28...88...89...267...297...AND 431. HEAVY SNOWFALL MAY
  DAMAGE POWERLINES IN THE AREA. DANGEROUS CONDITIONS WILL EXIST
  FOR BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND ANYONE OUTDOORS DURING THIS
  STORM COULD EASILY BECOME DISORIENTED. THE POSSIBILITY OF
  AVALANCHES WILL INCREASE...ESPECIALLY IN THE BACK COUNTRY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOWFALL RATES WILL EXCEED PLOWING CAPABILITIES AT TIMES.
ANTICIPATE LONG DELAYS AND VERY DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.
TRAVEL IS DISCOURAGED DURING THE PEAK SNOW INTENSITY THIS
AFTERNOON INTO EARLY TUESDAY MORNING. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...CARRY
AN EMERGENCY KIT WITH EXTRA FOOD...WATER AND CLOTHING. IF YOU
STAY HOME...HAVE A BACKUP PLAN IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGES.

&&

$$

CAZ071-221200-
/O.CON.KREV.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-151222T1200Z/
LASSEN-EASTERN PLUMAS-EASTERN SIERRA COUNTIES-
157 PM PST MON DEC 21 2015

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST TUESDAY
ABOVE 5500 FEET...

* TIMING: PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE 
  THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY MORNING. 

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 8 TO 14 INCHES ABOVE 5500 FEET WEST OF 
  HIGHWAY 395. 4 TO 8 INCHES ABOVE 5500 FEET EAST OF HIGHWAY 
  395. UP TO 2 INCHES BELOW 5500 FEET.

* WINDS: SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH TODAY... 
  DECREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH OVERNIGHT. 

* SNOW LEVELS: 5000 TO 6000 FEET. SNOW LEVELS MAY VARY THROUGH
  THE EVENT. 

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE NEAR 
  WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. TRAVEL DELAYS AND 
  CHAIN CONTROLS ARE LIKELY ALONG HIGHWAYS 36...44...49...70...
   89...AND HIGHWAY 395.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOWFALL RATES WILL EXCEED PLOWING CAPABILITIES AT TIMES.
ANTICIPATE LONG DELAYS AND VERY DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.
TRAVEL IS DISCOURAGED DURING THE PEAK SNOW INTENSITY TODAY. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...PREPARE FOR LONG DELAYS AND CARRY AN EMERGENCY
KIT WITH EXTRA FOOD...WATER AND CLOTHING. IF YOU STAY HOME...HAVE
A BACKUP PLAN IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGES.

&&

$$

CAZ070-NVZ005-221200-
/O.CON.KREV.WW.Y.0017.000000T0000Z-151222T1200Z/
SURPRISE VALLEY CALIFORNIA-NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CEDARVILLE...FORT BIDWELL
157 PM PST MON DEC 21 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST
TUESDAY...

* TIMING: PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
  TUESDAY MORNING.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 2 TO 6 INCHES.

* SNOW LEVELS: NEAR OR AT ALL VALLEY FLOORS RISING TO 5000 TO
  5500 FEET BY EARLY TUESDAY MORNING. 

* IMPACTS: TRAVEL DELAYS WITH CHAIN REQUIREMENTS LIKELY OVER 
  CEDAR PASS WEST OF CEDARVILLE. ROADS THROUGH SURPRISE VALLEY 
  AND NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY WILL BE SLICK AND ICY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

EVEN LIGHT SNOW CAN CAUSE LONG TRAVEL DELAYS. BE SURE TO ALLOW
EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. LEAVE EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN
VEHICLES SINCE IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP ON SLICK ROADWAYS.

&&

$$

CAZ073-221300-
/O.CON.KREV.WW.Y.0017.000000T0000Z-151223T0000Z/
MONO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BRIDGEPORT...MAMMOTH LAKES
157 PM PST MON DEC 21 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST
TUESDAY...

* TIMING: LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 6 TO 18 INCHES ALONG AND WEST OF HIGHWAY
  395 GENERALLY ABOVE 7000 FEET. 2 TO 5 INCHES EAST OF HIGHWAY 
  395. LITTLE TO NO ACCUMULATION BELOW 7000 FEET. 

* SNOW LEVELS: NEAR ALL VALLEY FLOORS RISING TO 7000 TO 7500 
  FEET BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON. 

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE 
  PERIODS OF NEAR WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. 
  TRAVEL IS LIKELY TO BE IMPACTED ALONG HIGHWAYS 395 AND 203 
  WITH DELAYS AND CHAIN CONTROLS POSSIBLE. DANGEROUS 
  CONDITIONS WILL EXIST FOR BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND ANYONE 
  OUTDOORS DURING THIS STORM COULD EASILY BECOME DISORIENTED. 
  THE POSSIBILITY OF AVALANCHES WILL INCREASE...ESPECIALLY IN 
  THE BACK COUNTRY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO POSE AN INCONVENIENCE TO TRAVELERS. ROADS
WILL BECOME SLICK AND HAZARDOUS...WITH SNOW AND ICE FIRST
DEVELOPING ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. MOTORISTS SHOULD SLOW DOWN
AND USE CAUTION. BE SURE TO ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. LEAVE EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN VEHICLES SINCE IT TAKES
LONGER TO STOP ON SLICK ROADWAYS.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/RENO
523 
WWUS45 KREV 221039
WSWREV

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
239 AM PST TUE DEC 22 2015

CAZ070-NVZ005-221145-
/O.CAN.KREV.WW.Y.0017.000000T0000Z-151222T1200Z/
SURPRISE VALLEY CALIFORNIA-NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY-
239 AM PST TUE DEC 22 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS CANCELLED THE WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY. 

WHILE LIGHT SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF
HOURS...THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL HAS ENDED. ROADS MAY REMAIN ICY AND
SLICK INTO MID MORNING AND CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED.

$$

CAZ071-221800-
/O.EXT.KREV.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-151222T1800Z/
LASSEN-EASTERN PLUMAS-EASTERN SIERRA COUNTIES-
239 AM PST TUE DEC 22 2015

...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS
MORNING ABOVE 5500 FEET...

THE WINTER STORM WARNING ABOVE 5500 FEET IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL
10 AM PST THIS MORNING. 

* TIMING: PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
  THIS MORNING...ESPECIALLY FOR AREAS WEST OF HIGHWAY 395.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 8 TO 14 INCHES ABOVE 5500 FEET
  WEST OF HIGHWAY 395. 4 TO 8 INCHES ABOVE 5500 FEET EAST OF
  HIGHWAY 395. UP TO 2 INCHES BELOW 5500 FEET.

* WINDS: WEST 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH.

* SNOW LEVELS: 5000 TO 5500 FEET.

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE NEAR
  WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. TRAVEL DELAYS AND
  CHAIN CONTROLS ARE LIKELY ALONG HIGHWAYS 36...44...49...70...
  89...AND HIGHWAY 395.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOWFALL RATES WILL EXCEED PLOWING CAPABILITIES AT TIMES.
ANTICIPATE LONG DELAYS AND VERY DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.
TRAVEL IS DISCOURAGED THROUGH THIS MORNING. IF YOU MUST
TRAVEL...PREPARE FOR LONG DELAYS AND CARRY AN EMERGENCY KIT WITH
EXTRA FOOD...WATER AND CLOTHING. IF YOU STAY HOME...HAVE A BACKUP
PLAN IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGES.

&&

$$

CAZ072-NVZ002-221800-
/O.CON.KREV.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-151222T1800Z/
GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...SOUTH LAKE TAHOE...TRUCKEE...
INCLINE VILLAGE
239 AM PST TUE DEC 22 2015

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST THIS
MORNING...

* TIMING: PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS
  MORNING. 

* STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 4 FEET ABOVE 7000 FEET.
  TOTALS WILL VARY WIDELY BELOW 7000 FEET DUE TO SNOW LEVEL
  FLUCTUATIONS...BUT WILL GENERALLY BE 4 TO 18 INCHES. THE
  HIGHEST AMOUNTS WILL BE ALONG AND WEST OF HIGHWAY 89.

* WINDS: WEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH. RIDGE GUSTS TO
  110 MPH.

* SNOW LEVELS: 6200 TO 6500 FEET.

* LAKE TAHOE WAVE HEIGHTS: 2 TO 5 FEET WITH THE HIGHEST WAVES 
  FROM MID LAKE TO NORTHEAST SHORES.

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE NEAR 
  WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. SIGNIFICANT 
  DELAYS AND CHAIN CONTROLS ARE LIKELY ON INTERSTATE 80...AND 
  HIGHWAYS 50...28...88...89...267...297...AND 431. HEAVY 
  SNOWFALL MAY DAMAGE POWERLINES IN THE AREA. DANGEROUS 
  CONDITIONS WILL EXIST FOR BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND ANYONE 
  OUTDOORS DURING THIS STORM COULD EASILY BECOME DISORIENTED. 
  THE POSSIBILITY OF AVALANCHES WILL INCREASE...ESPECIALLY IN 
  THE BACK COUNTRY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOWFALL RATES WILL EXCEED PLOWING CAPABILITIES AT TIMES.
ANTICIPATE LONG DELAYS AND VERY DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.
TRAVEL IS DISCOURAGED THROUGH THIS MORNING. IF YOU MUST
TRAVEL...CARRY AN EMERGENCY KIT WITH EXTRA FOOD...WATER AND
CLOTHING. IF YOU STAY HOME...HAVE A BACKUP PLAN IN CASE OF POWER
OUTAGES.

&&

$$

CAZ073-230000-
/O.CON.KREV.WW.Y.0017.000000T0000Z-151223T0000Z/
MONO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BRIDGEPORT...MAMMOTH LAKES
239 AM PST TUE DEC 22 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* TIMING: PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH
  THIS AFTERNOON.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 6 TO 20 INCHES ALONG AND WEST
  OF HIGHWAY 395 GENERALLY ABOVE 7000 FEET. 2 TO 5 INCHES EAST OF
  HIGHWAY 395. LITTLE TO NO ACCUMULATION BELOW 7000 FEET.

* SNOW LEVELS: 7000 TO 7500 FEET.

* IMPACTS: SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW DUE TO WINDS WILL CREATE 
  PERIODS OF NEAR WHITE OUT CONDITIONS ALONG WITH ICY ROADS. 
  TRAVEL IS LIKELY TO BE IMPACTED ALONG HIGHWAYS 395 AND 203 
  WITH DELAYS AND CHAIN CONTROLS POSSIBLE. DANGEROUS 
  CONDITIONS WILL EXIST FOR BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND ANYONE 
  OUTDOORS DURING THIS STORM COULD EASILY BECOME DISORIENTED. 
  THE POSSIBILITY OF AVALANCHES WILL INCREASE...ESPECIALLY IN 
  THE BACK COUNTRY. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO POSE AN INCONVENIENCE TO TRAVELERS. ROADS
WILL BECOME SLICK AND HAZARDOUS...WITH SNOW AND ICE FIRST
DEVELOPING ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. MOTORISTS SHOULD SLOW DOWN
AND USE CAUTION. BE SURE TO ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION. LEAVE EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN VEHICLES SINCE IT TAKES
LONGER TO STOP ON SLICK ROADWAYS.

&&

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/RENO
642 
WWUS45 KREV 221702
WSWREV

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
902 AM PST TUE DEC 22 2015

CAZ071-072-NVZ002-221815-
/O.CAN.KREV.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-151222T1800Z/
LASSEN-EASTERN PLUMAS-EASTERN SIERRA COUNTIES-
GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA-
902 AM PST TUE DEC 22 2015

...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS CANCELLED THE WINTER
STORM WARNING. 

SNOW HAS TAPERED THIS MORNING AND ONLY LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS ARE
EXPECTED THE REMAINDER OF TODAY. ACCUMULATIONS UP TO 2 INCHES ARE
STILL POSSIBLE NEAR THE IMMEDIATE CREST.

$$

CAZ073-221815-
/O.CAN.KREV.WW.Y.0017.000000T0000Z-151223T0000Z/
MONO-
902 AM PST TUE DEC 22 2015

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS CANCELLED THE WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY. 

SNOW HAS TAPERED THIS MORNING AND ONLY LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS ARE
EXPECTED THE REMAINDER OF TODAY. ACCUMULATIONS UP TO 2 INCHES ARE
STILL POSSIBLE NEAR THE IMMEDIATE CREST.

$$

HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/RENO

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this winter storm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Reno, NV wrote its last area forecast discussion before this winter storm warning went out at Dec 20, 2:57 AM PST, 12 hours 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 20, 2:57 AM PST, 12 hours 28 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
257 AM PST SUN DEC 20 2015

.SYNOPSIS...

ACTIVE WINTER PATTERN CONTINUES THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK.
WHILE NONE OF THESE SYSTEMS ARE STRONG BY SIERRA STANDARDS, EACH
WILL BRING SNOW, WIND, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR TRAVEL HEADACHES. THE
MAIN PERIODS OF CONCERN WILL BE MONDAY INTO TUESDAY AND CHRISTMAS
EVE INTO CHRISTMAS DAY. AT THIS POINT IT APPEARS THAT WEDNESDAY
WILL BE THE BEST TRAVEL DAY IF YOUR PLANS INCLUDE CROSSING THE
SIERRA.

&&

.SHORT TERM...

A WEAK WAVE AND ASSOCIATED MOISTURE ARE EVIDENT ON SATELLITE
IMAGERY EARLY THIS MORNING PUSHING INTO OREGON AND NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA. THIS WILL BRING ANOTHER ROUND OF LIGHT RAIN AND SNOW
TO THE SIERRA AND NORTHWEST NEVADA TODAY. OVERALL, IMPACTS WILL BE
FAIRLY MINIMAL, WITH ACCUMULATIONS IN THE SIERRA TYPICALLY ONLY AN
INCH OR TWO AT BEST. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS LIKELY IN NORTHERN
WASHOE COUNTY NORTH OF GERLACH AND IN LASSEN/PLUMAS COUNTIES WEST
OF HIGHWAY 395, WHERE UP TO 2 INCHES IS POSSIBLE. LIGHT RAIN AND
SNOW IS POSSIBLE IN WESTERN NEVADA TODAY, BUT WILL GENERALLY ONLY
BE TRACE AMOUNTS. WINDS WILL BE BREEZY, WITH CHOPPY LAKES AND A
LAKE WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR LAKE TAHOE.

THE BIGGER STORY WILL BE THE NEXT SURGE OF MOISTURE ASSOCIATED
WITH WARM AIR ADVECTION MONDAY INTO TUESDAY. FORECAST MODELS
CONTINUE TO COME IN WETTER WITH THIS SYSTEM AND HAVE TRENDED
PRECIPITATION TOTALS UPWARD TO ACCOUNT FOR THIS. SNOW LEVELS WILL
START AROUND 5500 FEET, RISING TO 7000-7500 FEET GOING INTO
TUESDAY. CURRENT THINKING IS THAT THERE WILL BE ENOUGH COLD AIR
TRAPPED IN THE LOW LEVELS NORTH OF A PORTOLA-GERLACH LINE THAT IT
WILL KEEP SNOW LEVELS DOWN LONGER, AND SO WILL MAINTAIN THE
CURRENT ADVISORY. 2 TO 6 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE, WHICH
WOULD IMPACT TRAVEL ALONG HIGHWAYS 44, 36, 299, AND THROUGH THE
SURPRISE VALLEY.

ELSEWHERE, THE GREATEST RISK FOR MAJOR TRAVEL IMPACTS WILL BE
MONDAY AFTERNOON WHEN DEEPER MOISTURE REACHES THE SIERRA WHILE
SNOW LEVELS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RISING. DELAYS AND CHAIN
CONTROLS ARE POSSIBLE OVER SIERRA PASSES MONDAY AFTERNOON AND
EVENING, BUT AS SNOW LEVELS CONTINUE TO RISE, PASSES BELOW 7500
FEET WILL LIKELY CHANGE OVER TO RAIN BY TUESDAY MORNING. OVER A
48-HOUR PERIOD, MOUNTAINS IN THE HIGH SIERRA ABOVE 7500 FEET COULD
SEE 10 TO 20 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION, WITH THE HIGHEST TOTALS ON
THE WESTERN SLOPES. WILL OPT NOT TO ISSUE ANY HEADLINES AT THIS
POINT AS TRAVEL IMPACTS WILL BE MINIMIZED BY RISING SNOW LEVELS.
RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE IN WESTERN NEVADA, WITH TOTALS GENERALLY A
FEW HUNDREDTHS UP TO A COUPLE TENTHS OF AN INCH.

THE OTHER CONCERN DURING THIS TIME FRAME WILL BE STRONG AND GUSTY
WINDS WHICH WILL BE ON THE INCREASE AS THE JET STREAM NOSES INTO
THE REGION MONDAY AND TUESDAY. 700 MB WINDS INCREASE TO 50-60 KTS
WITH A FAIRLY STRONG SURFACE GRADIENT IN PLACE. THE VEERING WIND
PROFILE IS NOT FAVORABLE FOR BREAKING WAVES, AND THE PRECIPITATION
LOADING WOULD ALSO DAMPEN WAVE ACTIVITY, SO DO NOT THINK WE WILL
SEE HIGH WIND CRITERIA. HOWEVER, ADVISORIES MAY BE NEEDED WITH
WINDS EXPECTED TO GUST IN THE 45 TO 60 MPH RANGE IN VALLEYS AND
OVER 100 MPH ACROSS SIERRA RIDGES. THIS COULD LEAD TO TRAVEL
RESTRICTIONS FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES, TURBULENCE AND MOUNTAIN
WAVE ACTIVITY FOR AVIATION, AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS ON AREA
LAKES. DJ

.LONG TERM...WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...

A FEW ADJUSTMENTS MADE INTO FRIDAY/SATURDAY WITH THE MODELS TRENDING
FASTER ON THE TROUGH PROGRESSION. WEDNESDAY LOOKS TO BE A BIT OF A
BREAK IN THE PATTERN WITH MAINLY DRY WEATHER EXCEPT FOR A FEW SNOW
SHOWERS IN THE SIERRA WITH UPSLOPE FLOW AND NEAR THE OREGON BORDER.
ANY AMOUNTS WOULD BE LIGHT, AND TEMPERATURES WILL START A DOWNWARD
TREND.

THE MAIN WEATHER MAKER CONTINUES TO BE THE TROUGH FOR CHRISTMAS EVE.
THE GFS/EC AND ENSEMBLES ARE ALL TRENDING FASTER AND A BIT WEAKER
WITH THIS SYSTEM. QPF AMOUNTS ARE QUITE A BIT LESS THAN 24 HOURS AGO
SO SNOW AMOUNTS MAY NOT BE AS MUCH AS FIRST ANTICIPATED. THAT SAID,
IT REMAINS A COLD SYSTEM AS 700 MB TEMPS ARE -10 TO -15 C WHICH IS
COLD ENOUGH FOR SNOW TO ALL VALLEY FLOORS. LOCATIONS FAVORED FOR THE
HEAVIEST AMOUNTS CONTINUE TO CHANGE (AND EVEN NOW DO NOT APPEAR TO
BE THAT HEAVY) SO DO NOT WANT TO HAZARD A GUESS. BOTTOM LINE, THE
POTENTIAL REMAINS FOR A COLD, SNOWY DAY CHRISTMAS EVE ALTHOUGH
AMOUNTS LOOK LIGHTER.

THE TROUGH IS EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY EXIT WITH SNOW SHOWERS WINDING
DOWN MORE RAPIDLY INTO CHRISTMAS DAY. A COLD DAY EXPECTED WITH BRISK
NORTH WINDS MAKING IT FEEL EVEN COLDER AS TEMPS STRUGGLE TO REACH
FREEZING IN THE LOWER VALLEYS AND REMAIN IN THE 20S IN THE
MOUNTAINS. A VERY COLD NIGHT IS POSSIBLE FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER CLEAR
SKIES. THE QUESTION WILL BE HOW MUCH SNOW FALLS CHRISTMAS EVE AS A
DECENT SNOW COVER WILL RESULT IN OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR RADIATIONAL
COOLING. ANOTHER COLD DAY SATURDAY AS A SHORT WAVE RIDGE BUILDS IN,
ALTHOUGH MOUNTAIN TEMPS WILL WARM A FEW DEGREES. THE LOWER VALLEYS
WILL NOT SEE ANY WARMING AS INVERSIONS WILL BE STRONG. WALLMANN

&&

.AVIATION...

VFR CONDITIONS THIS MORNING ALL AREAS. AFTER 19Z, A WEAK SYSTEM
MOVES IN WITH LCL MVFR/IFR CONDITIONS NORTH OF TAHOE AND NEAR THE
OREGON BORDER IN -SN. THIS IS A FAST MOVING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVING
CONDS AFT 03Z. ONLY LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS POSSIBLE FOR KTRK/KTVL UP
TO 2 INCHES BUT NOTHING FOR KRNO/KCXP/KMMH. WINDS WILL ALSO
INCREASE ALOFT, BUT THERMAL PROFILES DO NOT FAVOR MIXING. IT WILL
RESULT IN QUITE A BIT OF MTN WAVE TURBULENCE WITH THE PEAK TIME
21-03Z.

A BRIEF BREAK POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT SUNDAY NIGHT BEFORE THE NEXT SYSTEM
ARRIVES MONDAY INTO TUESDAY. MORE WIND IMPACTS WITH LLWS POSSIBLE
ALONG WITH MVFR/LCL IFR CONDS IN THE SIERRA INTO LASSEN COUNTY.
WALLMANN

&&

.REV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NV...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO 4 AM PST TUESDAY
     NVZ005.

     LAKE WIND ADVISORY FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO MIDNIGHT PST
     TONIGHT FOR LAKE TAHOE IN NVZ002.

CA...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 10 AM MONDAY TO 4 AM PST TUESDAY
     CAZ070.

     LAKE WIND ADVISORY FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO MIDNIGHT PST
     TONIGHT FOR LAKE TAHOE IN CAZ072.

&&

FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE VISIT...
HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/RENO (ALL LOWER CASE)

The office that day

Everything else NWS Reno, NV issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 20, 3:39 PM PSTLake Wind AdvisoryREVChurchill, Lyon, Pershing, Washoe25 hr
Dec 20, 3:39 PM PSTWind AdvisoryREVDouglas, Lyon, Storey, Washoe30 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in California, 2015Winter Storm Warnings in Nevada, 2015Every winter storm warning in 2015

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.