High winds developed from a strong storm system moving through the Nevada during the days of April 15-16, 2018. Widespread strong winds were reported, but high winds were only recorded widespread across White Pine, southeastern Elko, and northeastern Nye Counties.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS LKN wrote it up.
High winds developed from a strong storm system moving through the Nevada during the days of April 15-16, 2018. Widespread strong winds were reported, but high winds were only recorded widespread across White Pine, southeastern Elko, and northeastern Nye Counties. Wind gusts in these areas were mostly in the 50-65 MPH range, with two locations seeing gusts to 70 MPH and 74 MPH. No reports of damage were received.
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 Elko, NV wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 16, 1:48 AM PST, 2 hours 42 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Elko NV 248 AM PDT Mon Apr 16 2018 SYNOPSIS...A cold front brings strong gusty winds and some snow to the region today. Unsettled and cool weather continues into Tuesday. The next weather system impacts the region Wednesday night and Thursday. && .SHORT TERM...Today through Wednesday Hazy conditions from yesterday's dust is started to scour out and will continue to do so as the cold front keeps pushing through this morning. Current surface observations indicate that the cold front is moving through Humboldt County. Radar displays only a thin layer of moisture along the front with a few pre-frontal showers in Northern Elko County as well. Highest chance for rain/snow is with the front, then followed by scattered snow showers 2-3 hours after frontal passage. The front arrives into Elko and Austin around daybreak, Wendover-Eureka towards mid morning, then reaches Ely middle to late afternoon. The snowfall occurs during the daytime, so hard to say how much accumulation can be expected for mid April. Given the short duration, up to 3 inches may occur in the best case scenario in higher elevations. Could be isolated lightning strikes over northwest NV Monday afternoon given cold core and diffluent flow aloft. Much cooler today with a good 20 degree drop from yesterday's highs as temperatures only make it into the 40's, except for southeastern Nevada, which will be able to warm some before the front moves through. Strong gusty winds is the main impact from this storm system, particularly in southeast portion of White Pine county where gusts may approach 60 mph. A Wind Advisory continues for the southeastern part of forecast area as winds continue to increase through this evening. There will be periodic gusts early this morning and then sustained winds of 20-30 mph will be common with some gusts to 55 mph as daytime heating increases, along with areas of blowing dust and possible reduced visibilities. Air mass remains unsettled until the main trough axis moves downstream early Tuesday morning when there will only remain some very isolated showers through the early afternoon. Temperatures remain cool with lows in the 20's on Monday and Tuesday nights with highs Tuesday mainly in the 40's. Progressive low amplitude ridge moves across the Great Basin Tuesday night, but the next Pacific trough digs toward the central California coast. Some moisture advects over northern NV for a slight chance of a rain/snow shower. Temperatures will be rebounding given southwest flow. .LONG TERM...Wednesday night through next Monday. The next storm system will be on tap for northern and central Nevada, which will propagate east during the overnight Wednesday through Thursday. The current track will take the system to the southern edges of Nevada during this time frame. As of this time, snow amounts appear to be limited with up to two inches possible for locations above 6000 to 6500 feet, but that may be on the high side. Wind swill be breezy, and will need to watch for possible advisory level winds in the West Wendover and Tonopah areas after the cold front pushes across. Afternoon highs on the Thursday will be in the 40s to maybe the low 50s. The aforementioned system will continue eastward and light showers will persist in eastern Nevada through Thursday night and Friday. Accumulations are expected to be light on the westward side of the upper low with overnight lows in the 20s and 30s. On Friday expect some light showers in White Pine county but those should diminish during the afternoon. High pressure will try to build in from the east, but the orientation of the ridge will lead to northerly winds. This will help to keep a lid on highs for the afternoon with readings in the 50s to low 60s. Winds will continue to be breezy in the east and central portions of the forecast area. Quiet weather is expected for Friday night into Saturday night as the ridge keeps a lid on the weather. Highs will be in the low to upper 60s on Saturday, warming into the 70s at many locations by Sunday. Overnight lows will be in the 30s both Saturday night and Sunday night. Models are out of sync for the system on Monday so kept ghost pops in the forecast. Highs are expected to be in the 70s. && .AVIATION...A cold front will march across the area today bringing strong winds and isold to sct -SHRA/-SHSN to the area. MVFR to lcl IFR conditions are possible in the heavier showers. Winds SW-W10-30G35-45KT are possible with the stronger gusts at the KELY terminal. An isold -TSRA may be possible for KWCM later this afternoon but chances are too low to mention in TAF. Skies expected to scatter out later tonight from west to east. && .LKN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until 8 PM PDT this evening for Northeastern Nye County-South Central Elko County-Southeastern Elko County-White Pine County. && 90/86/86
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Wind gusts occurred at a couple locations across northeastern Nye County. Wind gusts ranged from 65 MPH to 70 MPH.
High wind gusts occurred across White Pine County. Wind gusts ranged from 74 MPH at Mather RAWS in the Snake range to 58 MPH at the Ely Airport.
A wind gust to 73 MPH occurred at Spring Gulch RAWS.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nevada in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, April 2018
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: 744661, 744659, 744660.