High Wind in Nevada, January 26, 2002

WESTERN NEVADA AND EASTERN CALIFORNIA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
340 AM PST SAT JAN 26 2002

SNOW HAS MOVED INTO THE TAHOE/TRUCKEE AREA WITHIN THE PAST HOUR WHILE
MOST WESTERN VALLEYS CONTINUE TO BE SHADOWED OUT. SOUTHWEST WINDS
20-35 MPH ARE GUSTING OVER 70 MPH ON RIDGETOPS THIS MORNING. THE
WINDS WILL LIKELY CONTINUE TO BE STRONG AND GUSTY TODAY SO
SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION IS NOT LIKELY IN VALLEYS. THE TIMING OF THE
COLD FRONT AND HEAVY SNOW IS SLOWER THAN EARLIER MODEL RUNS
INDICATED...AND THE TAP OF SUBTROPICAL MOISTURE APPEARS TO BE CUT
OFF. CROSS SECTIONS SHOW THE MOISTURE TO BE FAIRLY SHALLOW WHICH IS
CONTRIBUTING TO THE LACK OF SNOW EAST OF THE CREST. HAVE LEFT WARNING
INTACT FOR THE TAHOE AREA TODAY AND EXTENDED IT INTO TONIGHT DUE TO
THE SLOWER TIMING OF THE SYSTEM. DROPPED ACCUMULATION FORECASTS TO
MINIMAL WARNING AMOUNTS BASED ON LATEST GUIDANCE AND COORDINATION
WITH CA OFFICES. IN ZONE 71 HAVE LEFT WARNING UP FOR TODAY BUT
RESTRICTED TO WESTERN MOUNTAINS ABOVE 5000 FEET. IN MONO COUNTY QPF
FORECASTS SUPPORT SNOW ADVISORY BUT NOT MUCH MORE SO WILL ISSUE
ADVISORY ABOVE 7000 FEET FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. DRIER MID
LEVEL AIR MOVES OVER THE AREA LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT AND WILL LOWER
POPS FOR MOST OF THE CWA SUNDAY.

MED RANGE MODELS FORECAST VORT MAX TO SHEAR OFF INTO COLD
UPPER LOW OVER NRN CA MONDAY AND DRIFT SWD OVER CENTRAL CA ON
TUESDAY. WRAP AROUND MOISTURE IN DEFORMATION ZONE PRODUCING SNOW
SHOWERS MAINLY S OF HIGHWAY 50 ON TUESDAY. UPPER RIDGE REBUILDING
OVER AREA WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FOR DRY WEATHER. ANOTHER WEAK S/WV
BREAKS THROUGH RIDGE ON FRIDAY FOR A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW
SHOWERS. TEMPS REMAINING ABOUT 5-10 DEGREE BELOW SEASONAL NORMALS
DURING PERIOD...ESPECIALLY IN VALLEYS WHERE STRONG INVERSIONS WILL
PERSIST.

.REV...WINTER STORM WARNING TODAY ZONE 71
      WINTER STORM WARNING TODAY AND TONIGHT ZONE 2/72
      SNOW ADVISORY THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT ZONE 73