California, 2017

Blizzard and Avalanche in California, January 9 to 12, 2017

January 9 to 12, 2017 · NWS REV · 7 events in 4 counties and zones

Strong low pressure over the northeast Pacific on the 9th moved southeast slowly, reaching northern California on the 12th. This brought exceptional snowfall and a period of blizzard conditions to the Sierra with considerable impacts.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 7 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
1
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
7

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS REV wrote it up.

Strong low pressure over the northeast Pacific on the 9th moved southeast slowly, reaching northern California on the 12th. This brought exceptional snowfall and a period of blizzard conditions to the Sierra with considerable impacts.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jan 9, 3:50 AM PST, 11 hours 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 9, 3:50 AM PST, 11 hours 10 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
350 AM PST Mon Jan 9 2017

.SYNOPSIS...
The weather will remain unsettled through at least Wednesday.
These storms are colder with lower snow levels lessening the
flood threat. However, downstream areas will continue to be
susceptible to flooding through Tuesday afternoon. Aside from the
flooding, heavy Sierra snowfall with periods of rain and snow will
continue into Western Nevada. Strong winds are also possible
Tuesday. Drier weather is expected late week into the weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
While the heavy rain has ended, the flood threat will continue.
For more details on flooding, see the hydro discussion below.
Otherwise, two more moderate to strong storms will affect the area
into Wednesday. Travel is strongly discouraged in the mountains
through Wednesday.

Heavy convective showers continue early this morning across
northeast CA and Western NV this morning. Snow levels are dropping
and are currently around 6000 feet near the Oregon border, to 7000
feet around Tahoe and 7500 feet in Mono/Mineral. The convective
showers will continue through about 8 AM this morning before
becoming more isolated. Snow levels will also fall to 5000 feet
near and north of Highway 50 by this time and to 6000 feet south.

This break will be short-lived as the next wave moves into the
Sierra by early afternoon with the active weather into Wednesday.
Here is a breakdown by weather type through Wednesday morning:

***Precipitation***

Heavy snow in the Sierra and NE CA, beginning this afternoon,
will continue through Wednesday morning. The worst conditions are
expected Tuesday into Tuesday night as the winds increase aloft
(see below). Blizzard conditions will occur over the passes and
ridges. Blizzard conditions may also be widespread in the lower
elevations for the Tahoe Basin and 395 corridor in Mono County
Tuesday afternoon and evening. Several feet of snow look likely
above 7000 feet with a couple feet or more west of the 395
corridor at lower elevations.

Farther east, periods of rain and snow with snow levels near the
valley floors will occur. For this afternoon and evening, with the
unstable atmosphere spillover may be efficient in the stronger
convective showers. A quick 1-2 inches of snow are possible
during the evening rush along the Sierra Front and north to the
Surprise Valley with 2-4 inches above 5000 feet. Then a break
after midnight as the atmosphere stabilizes with windier
conditions expected. Then by Tuesday night, a strong cold front
will move through with strong spillover and QPF amounts of 1/4 to
3/4 inch, highest in the foothills of the Sierra.

***Snow level***

Near the valley floors, or 4000-4500 feet into this evening north
of hwy 50, and 5000-6000 feet south. The snow levels will then
rise Tuesday afternoon, possibly rising as high as 6000-7000 feet
north to south before crashing back to the valley floors by
Wednesday morning.

***Winds***

Breezy conditions today all areas will continue tonight with
Sierra Ridges continuing to gust near 100 mph. Then, as the
atmosphere stabilizes after midnight tonight, the thermodynamic
profile becomes more favorable for a period of strong winds
Tuesday into Tuesday night. Gusts up to 65 mph are possible along
and west of the 395 corridor with local gusts to 80 mph in wind
prone areas. Sierra ridges may gust up to 150 mph once again. The
period of strongest winds for the lower valleys will likely be
Tuesday afternoon into early evening. A high wind watch was issued
for the Sierra Front, Northern Washoe County into the Surprise
Valley. Higher winds in the Sierra will be reflected in the Winter
Storm Warning. Wallmann

.LONG TERM...Wednesday through Sunday...

The winter storm event will begin to wind down on Wednesday as the
main low exits to the east with decreasing Pacific moisture feed.
Several more inches of snow are likely to accumulate in the Sierra,
with lighter snowfall in northeast CA and parts of western NV. As
colder air spreads over the region, snow levels will drop to most
valley floors later in the day, especially north of US-50. Brisk
southwest to west winds will continue and although wind speeds won't
be as strong compared to Tuesday, most areas should still see gusts
at least 40 mph, with Sierra ridge gusts over 80 mph.

For Wednesday night, bands of snow showers are likely mainly near
the Sierra, with decreasing chances over west central NV. With
colder air aloft passing across the warmer lake water, enhanced snow
bands could form to the east-northeast of Lake Tahoe, leading to
some locally higher snow amounts between Carson City and the
southwest portions of Reno. Otherwise, additional snow amounts are
likely to be light.

For Thursday-Thursday night, one more reinforcing low pressure system
moves across the western US. This low has been trending toward a
more southerly track across CA, which would favor better snow
chances from US-50 southward. We won't completely rule out snow
chances farther north, since previous guidance had a track that
favored decent snow across the Reno-Tahoe region. With cold air in
place, the eventual track will be important as some lower elevation
areas could receive several inches of snow if the low passes close
enough to western NV.

From Friday through next weekend, the medium range guidance has
trended toward building a ridge over CA-NV. A few leftover snow
showers may linger in southern Mineral-Mono early Friday morning as
Thursday's low departs, before the ridge axis amplifies and pushes
the storm track farther north. This would finally give our region a
break from the extremely wet start to 2017, although inversion
conditions will keep daytime temps below average with chilly nights.
If any of the lower elevations end up with notable snow cover
leading up to late week, min temps would be several degrees colder.
MJD

&&

.AVIATION...
Occasional heavy rain/snow showers will continue through mid
morning for all terminals with MVFR/IFR conditions. A short break
around 16-22Z with lighter showers, then snow increases again in
the Sierra that will continue into Wednesday. IFR conditions with
heavy runway accumulation for KTRK/KTVL/KMMH are expected.

For KRNO/KCXP/KSVE, a period of IFR/MVFR conditions this evening
in SHSNRA with runway accumulation around an inch possible,
confidence 40%. THe best chance for this would be from 23-04Z.
Then primarily VFR into Tuesday.

As far as the winds, they will continue to be gusty today with
peak gusts 35-40 kts for all terminals with mtn wave turbulence
and localized LLWS. Winds increase aloft after 09Z Tue with
widespread mdt-severe mountain wave turbulence and LLWS likely.
Peak gusts at area terminals could reach 50-55 kts Tuesday
afternoon and evening.

Improving conditions are expected sometime Wednesday afternoon
with winds gradually lessening. Wallmann

&&

.HYDROLOGY...

* Rainfall rates have slowed and snow levels are falling
* Widespread flooding is occurring
* Mainstem rivers expected to begin falling early this morning or
  Tuesday

Widespread flooding, mudslides, and rockslides have been reported
across the area with many roads closed. Flooding will continue into
Monday...possibly into Tuesday in areas that drain slowly. Ponding
water will remain a problem on many streets making travel hazardous.
Walking in flooded areas is also dangerous as you can't necessarily
tell how deep the water is. On the positive side...the next series
of storms is colder. That will reduce any additional flood risk.

The smaller streams and rivers in the upper reaches of many of the
river basins are starting to recede as the snow levels fall and
precipitation intensity lessens.  Farther downstream the
Truckee...Carson and Middle Fork Feather rivers will continue to
rise with peaks on these rivers varying from late this afternoon for
the Truckee at Vista (and later at Wadsworth and Nixon) to late
tonight on the Carson at Carson City to early Tuesday morning on the
Middle Fork Feather at Portola.

Flood warnings continue for the river systems while broad Areal
Flood Warnings are in effect for much of the area below 6500 feet in
the Tahoe Basin...Lassen and Plumas counties...along the Sierra
Front and the far northern parts of Mono County.

Precipitation will continue through the week...but snow levels will
vary between 4500-7000 feet. This will reduce the flood risk. Areas
away from the main river systems that are currently flooding should
see some relief mid late Tuesday as the flood waters slowly drain.
MLF

&&

.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...High Wind Watch from late tonight through Tuesday evening NVZ005.

     Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Thursday NVZ002.

     High Wind Watch from late tonight through Tuesday evening NVZ003.

CA...Flood Watch until 4 AM PST early this morning CAZ071.

     Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Thursday CAZ071.

     High Wind Watch from late tonight through Tuesday evening CAZ070.

     Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Thursday CAZ073.

     Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Thursday CAZ072.

&&

For more information from the National Weather Service visit...
http://weather.gov/reno

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 9, 10:21 AM PST, 4 hours 39 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
1021 AM PST MON JAN 09 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0500 AM     HEAVY RAIN       4 SSW RENO              39.49N 119.86W
01/09/2017  M3.00 INCH       WASHOE             NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            3.00 INCHES OF RAINFALL MEASURED SINCE 9AM SATURDAY IN
            CAUGHLIN RANCH.

0600 AM     HEAVY SNOW       4 W MAMMOTH LAKES       37.65N 119.04W
01/09/2017  M16.0 INCH       MONO               CA   PUBLIC

            MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN 24 HOUR SNOWFALL TOTAL AT 8900 FT, WITH
            36 INCHES AT 11,000 FT. 3 DAY TOTALS 41 INCHES AT 8900 FT
            AND 84 INCHES AT 11,000 FT.

0730 AM     HEAVY RAIN       1 NE CARSON CITY        39.18N 119.75W
01/09/2017  M2.78 INCH       CARSON CITY        NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED A STORM TOTAL RAINFALL
            OF 2.78 INCHES.

0731 AM     HEAVY RAIN       5 SW SOUTH LAKE TAHOE   38.88N 120.03W
01/09/2017  M4.60 INCH       EL DORADO          CA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 4.60 INCHES OF LIQUID
            EQUIVALENT IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.

0733 AM     HEAVY RAIN       SUSANVILLE              40.41N 120.65W
01/09/2017  M2.47 INCH       LASSEN             CA   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS OBSERVER REPORTED 2.47 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN THE
            LAST 24 HOURS.

0733 AM     HEAVY RAIN       6 NW LEE VINING         38.02N 119.20W
01/09/2017  M2.51 INCH       MONO               CA   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS OBSERVER REPORTED 2.51 INCHES OF LIQUID
            EQUIVALENT AND 3.8 INCHES OF SNOWFALL.

0733 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 SE SPANISH SPRINGS AI 39.65N 119.69W
01/09/2017  M1.74 INCH       WASHOE             NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 1.74 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.

0736 AM     HEAVY RAIN       16 WSW SPAULDING        40.59N 121.08W
01/09/2017  M3.52 INCH       LASSEN             CA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            BOGARD RAWS SENSOR OBSERVED 3.52 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN
            THE LAST 24 HOURS.

0736 AM     HEAVY RAIN       CEDARVILLE              41.53N 120.17W
01/09/2017  M1.44 INCH       MODOC              CA   MESONET

            AGRIMET MESONET STATION REPORTED 1.46 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0739 AM     HEAVY RAIN       4 NW VERDI              39.56N 120.05W
01/09/2017  M6.27 INCH       SIERRA             CA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            DOG VALLEY RAWS SENSOR OBSERVED 6.27 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0739 AM     HEAVY RAIN       3 N DOYLE               40.06N 120.09W
01/09/2017  M3.28 INCH       LASSEN             CA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            DOYLE RAWS REPORTED 3.28 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN THE LAST
            48 HOURS.

0739 AM     HEAVY RAIN       SIERRAVILLE             39.59N 120.37W
01/09/2017  M6.72 INCH       SIERRA             CA   CO-OP OBSERVER

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER REPORTED 6.72 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0741 AM     HEAVY RAIN       PLUMAS EUREKA STATE PAR 39.77N 120.69W
01/09/2017  M12.65 INCH      PLUMAS             CA   MESONET

            PLUMAS-EURKEA STATE PARK REPORTED 12.65 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0741 AM     HEAVY RAIN       1 SE HEAVENLY VALLEY    38.95N 119.88W
01/09/2017  M8.57 INCH       DOUGLAS            NV   MESONET

            BARON RAWS SENSOR REPORTED 8.57 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN THE
            LAST 48 HOURS.

0741 AM     HEAVY RAIN       STAMPEDE RESERVOIR      39.48N 120.13W
01/09/2017  M4.10 INCH       SIERRA             CA   MESONET

            MESONET SENSOR REPORTED 4.10 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN THE
            LAST 48 HOURS.

0741 AM     HEAVY RAIN       1 N COLD SPRINGS VALLEY 39.68N 119.96W
01/09/2017  M2.68 INCH       WASHOE             NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 2.68 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0741 AM     HEAVY RAIN       6 S HONEY LAKE          40.14N 120.35W
01/09/2017  M3.97 INCH       LASSEN             CA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            MILFORD-LAUFMAN RAWS SENSOR REPORTED 3.97 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0745 AM     HEAVY RAIN       1 E DONNER SUMMIT       39.33N 120.37W
01/09/2017  M8.23 INCH       NEVADA             CA   MESONET

            DONNER LAKE HADS SENSOR REPORTED 8.23 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0745 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 SE TRUCKEE            39.31N 120.18W
01/09/2017  M5.51 INCH       PLACER             CA   MESONET

            MARTIS CREEK HADS SENSOR REPORTED 5.51 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0745 AM     HEAVY RAIN       MARKLEEVILLE            38.70N 119.78W
01/09/2017  M4.40 INCH       ALPINE             CA   MESONET

            MARKLEEVILLE CIMIS SENSOR REPORTED 4.40 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0747 AM     HEAVY RAIN       SOUTH LAKE TAHOE        38.94N 119.98W
01/09/2017  M5.13 INCH       EL DORADO          CA   ASOS

            SOUTH LAKE TAHOE AIRPORT REPORTED 5.13 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0750 AM     HEAVY RAIN       TAHOE CITY              39.17N 120.14W
01/09/2017  M5.71 INCH       PLACER             CA   COCORAHS

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER REPORTED 5.71 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0751 AM     HEAVY RAIN       ALPINE MEADOWS          39.17N 120.22W
01/09/2017  M12.00 INCH      PLACER             CA   MESONET

            WARD CREEK 3 SENSOR REPORTED 12.00 INCHES OF LIQUID
            EQUIVALENT IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0802 AM     HEAVY RAIN       4 WNW BRIDGEPORT        38.27N 119.29W
01/09/2017  M3.62 INCH       MONO               CA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            BRIDGEPORT RAWS SENSOR REPORTED 3.62 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0825 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 W MAMMOTH LAKES       37.64N 118.99W
01/09/2017  M7.44 INCH       MONO               CA   MESONET

            MAMMOTH PASS HADS SENSOR REPORTED 7.44 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE PAST 48 HOURS.

0825 AM     HEAVY RAIN       SONORA PASS             38.33N 119.63W
01/09/2017  M5.40 INCH       MONO               CA   MESONET

            SONORA PASS SNOTEL SENSOR REPORTED 5.40 INCHES OF LIQUID
            EQUIVALENT IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0825 AM     HEAVY RAIN       5 ESE JUNE LAKE         37.74N 119.00W
01/09/2017  M6.19 INCH       MONO               CA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            CRESTVIEW RAWS SENSOR REPORTED 6.19 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN
            THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0835 AM     HEAVY RAIN       4 E INCLINE VILLAGE     39.24N 119.88W
01/09/2017  M6.00 INCH       WASHOE             NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            LITTLE VALLEY RAWS SENSOR REPORTED 6.00 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0835 AM     HEAVY RAIN       INCLINE VILLAGE         39.25N 119.96W
01/09/2017  M6.25 INCH       WASHOE             NV   MESONET

            DRI MESONET SENSOR REPORTED 6.25 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN
            THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0835 AM     HEAVY RAIN       E GALENA                39.38N 119.83W
01/09/2017  M4.95 INCH       WASHOE             NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            GALENA RAWS SENSOR REPORTED 4.95 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN
            THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0835 AM     HEAVY RAIN       SMITH VALLEY            38.79N 119.34W
01/09/2017  M1.85 INCH       LYON               NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 1.85 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0835 AM     HEAVY RAIN       WELLINGTON              38.76N 119.38W
01/09/2017  M1.37 INCH       LYON               NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 1.37 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0850 AM     HEAVY RAIN       CARSON CITY             39.17N 119.76W
01/09/2017  M2.22 INCH       CARSON CITY        NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 2.22 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0852 AM     HEAVY RAIN       3 W SPANISH SPRINGS AIR 39.67N 119.77W
01/09/2017  M2.76 INCH       WASHOE             NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            DESERT SPRINGS RAWS SENSOR REPORTED 2.76 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0859 AM     HEAVY RAIN       VIRGINIA CITY           39.31N 119.64W
01/09/2017  M2.80 INCH       STOREY             NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 2.80 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0920 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 SSE CARSON CITY       39.15N 119.76W
01/09/2017  M2.61 INCH       CARSON CITY        NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 2.61 OF RAINFALL IN THE
            LAST 48 HOURS.

0920 AM     HEAVY RAIN       STEAD                   39.64N 119.88W
01/09/2017  M1.53 INCH       WASHOE             NV   AWOS

            RENO-STEAD AIRPORT REPORTED 1.53 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN
            THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0920 AM     HEAVY RAIN       RENO                    39.54N 119.82W
01/09/2017  M1.71 INCH       WASHOE             NV   ASOS

            48 HOUR RAINFALL TOTAL AT THE RENO-TAHOE INTERNATIONAL
            AIRPORT.

0923 AM     HEAVY RAIN       5 NW RENO               39.59N 119.89W
01/09/2017  M1.73 INCH       WASHOE             NV   MESONET

            DRI MESONET SENSOR ON UNR CAMPUS REPORTED 1.73 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0923 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 S DAMONTE RANCH       39.40N 119.73W
01/09/2017  M3.00 INCH       WASHOE             NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 3.00 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0925 AM     HEAVY RAIN       7 SE TWIN PEAKS         40.58N 119.79W
01/09/2017  M2.18 INCH       WASHOE             NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            BUFFALO CREEK RAWS SENSOR REPORTED 2.18 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0925 AM     HEAVY RAIN       15 ENE WABUSKA          39.26N 118.94W
01/09/2017  M1.18 INCH       LYON               NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            DEAD CAMEL RAWS SENSOR REPORTED 1.18 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0928 AM     HEAVY RAIN       11 ENE FORT BIDWELL     41.91N 119.94W
01/09/2017  M1.34 INCH       WASHOE             NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            BARREL SPRINGS RAWS SENSOR REPORTED 1.34 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0935 AM     HEAVY RAIN       FERNLEY                 39.61N 119.24W
01/09/2017  M1.60 INCH       LYON               NV   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED 1.60 INCHES OF RAINFALL
            IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.

0955 AM     HEAVY RAIN       BOCA RESERVOIR          39.40N 120.09W
01/09/2017  M3.38 INCH       NEVADA             CA   CO-OP OBSERVER

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER REPORTED 3.38 STORM TOTAL
            PRECIPITATION FOR THE LAST 48 HOURS.

0957 AM     HEAVY SNOW       BODIE                   38.21N 119.01W
01/09/2017  M16.0 INCH       MONO               CA   CO-OP OBSERVER

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER REPORTED 16 INCHES OF NEW
            SNOWFALL WITH 2.00 INCHES OF LIQUID EQUIVALENT. OBSERVER
            ALSO REPORTED 36 SNOW DEPTH.

0959 AM     HEAVY RAIN       LEE VINING              37.96N 119.12W
01/09/2017  M3.92 INCH       MONO               CA   CO-OP OBSERVER

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER REPORTED 3.92 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

1000 AM     HEAVY RAIN       MINDEN                  38.96N 119.77W
01/09/2017  M1.95 INCH       DOUGLAS            NV   CO-OP OBSERVER

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER REPORTED 1.95 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

1001 AM     HEAVY RAIN       PORTOLA                 39.80N 120.47W
01/09/2017  M3.99 INCH       PLUMAS             CA   CO-OP OBSERVER

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER REPORTED 3.99 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

1003 AM     HEAVY RAIN       TAHOE CITY              39.17N 120.14W
01/09/2017  M5.50 INCH       PLACER             CA   CO-OP OBSERVER

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER REPORTED 5.50 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

1005 AM     HEAVY RAIN       1 SSE HOMEWOOD          39.07N 120.16W
01/09/2017  M5.88 INCH       PLACER             CA   CO-OP OBSERVER

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER IN TAHOMA, CA REPORTED 5.88
            INCHES OF RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

1006 AM     HEAVY RAIN       TRUCKEE                 39.33N 120.20W
01/09/2017  M4.67 INCH       NEVADA             CA   CO-OP OBSERVER

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER AT THE TRUCKEE-TAHOE AIRPORT
            REPORTED 4.67 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

1007 AM     HEAVY RAIN       VERDI                   39.52N 120.00W
01/09/2017  M5.49 INCH       WASHOE             CA   CO-OP OBSERVER

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER REPORTED 5.49 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

1020 AM     HEAVY RAIN       DAGGET PASS             38.98N 119.89W
01/09/2017  M6.90 INCH       DOUGLAS            NV   CO-OP OBSERVER

            COOPERATIVE WEATHER OBSERVER REPORTED 6.90 INCHES OF
            RAINFALL IN THE LAST 48 HOURS.

&&

MCGUIRE

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 heavy snow, 2 blizzard, 1 avalanche, 1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra

When
January 9, 3:00 PM PST to January 12, 6:00 PM PST
Where
Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
40.086, -120.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Portola cooperative observer reported 34 inches of snowfall from the 9th through the 12th. A CoCoRAHS site 5 miles west-northwest of Susanville reported 24 inches on the 9th before snow changed to rain (at about midnight on the 10th). Rain or a rain/snow mix changed back to all snow in lower elevations by the evening of the 11th. The Grizzly Ridge HADS at 6900 feet likely received at least 4 or 5 feet of snowfall based on sub-freezing temperatures and precipitation amounts near 8 inches.

Heavy Snow, Greater Lake Tahoe Area

When
January 9, 5:00 PM PST to January 12, 10:00 PM PST
Where
Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
38.935, -120.458 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totals between the 9th and 12th were quite significant. Between the 9th and 12th, 6 to 10 feet of snow fell at ski areas near the Sierra crest, with 3 to 3.5 feet in the Tahoe City and Truckee areas, and 2 to 3 feet in the South Lake Tahoe area. During the evening of the 12th, two trees fell on three cars on CA route 89 near Squaw Valley, resulting in one death. A tree fell into a home in Kings Beach on the 11th, resulting in major damage. Numerous power outages were noted.

Heavy Snow, Mono

When
January 9, 6:00 PM PST to January 12, 4:00 PM PST
Where
Mono forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
37.939, -118.887 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

SNOTEL-estimated snowfall totals of 3 to 5 feet fell between the 9th and 12th in the high Sierra and Sweetwater Range, with 4 to 5 inches of water equivalent (SWE) for several SNOTEL sites. At the high end, the Leavitt Lake SNOTEL recorded 10 inches of SWE, with 12 inches at the Mammoth Mountain ski area. Snowfall of 83 inches was measured at the Mammoth Mountain Ski area. Along and east of Highway 395, snowfall totals ranged from 12 to 20 inches.

Blizzard, Greater Lake Tahoe Area

When
January 10, 5:00 AM PST to January 11, 5:00 AM PST
Where
Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
38.935, -120.458 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

All major travel routes through the Tahoe Basin were shut down for more than 24 hours due to poor visibility. Interstate 80 was closed at 2256PST on the 9th due to zero visibility, with the closure lasting through 1300PST on the 11th. With heavy snow and blizzard conditions moving over the rest of the area by early afternoon on the 10th, CA route 267 (Brockway Summit) was closed around 1300PST. Highway 50 was also shut down.

Avalanche, Greater Lake Tahoe Area

When
January 10, 10:55 AM PST
Where
Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
38.935, -120.458 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several avalanches were reported in an avalanche-prone area of Alpine Meadows, with 12 to 14 homes affected (minor damage). One controlled avalanche hit at least several houses. A NWS meteorologist who lives in the area noted that a couple homes had damage to their garage doors due to the weight of the snow.

High Wind, Surprise Valley

When
January 10, 11:30 AM PST to 12:30 PM PST
Where
Surprise Valley forecast zone
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by
RAWS
Coordinates
41.590, -120.725 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind gust measured at the Surprise Valley RAWS between 1130PST and 1230PST.

Blizzard, Mono

When
January 10, 1:00 PM PST to January 11, 7:00 AM PST
Where
Mono forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.939, -118.887 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Highway 395 was shut down through all of Mono County for low visibility/blizzard conditions. Winds were gusting to between 35 and 58 mph in some spots along Highway 395 during the snowfall event, including near Bridgeport and the Mammoth airport.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Heavy Snow, Greater Lake Tahoe Area2017-01-1243FemaleVehicle/Towed TrailerDirect

What these are

Heavy Snow
Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Blizzard
Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.
Avalanche
A mass of snow sliding down a mountainside that caused a death, an injury or damage.
High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in California in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in California, January 2017

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 696731, 696665, 696714, 696927, 696945, 697031, 696952.