A series of winter storms impacted the Great Basin producing widespread light to moderate snowfall. Localized heavy snow occurred in Winnemucca and Golconda Summit, where 11-16 inches of snow was observed.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 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.
A series of winter storms impacted the Great Basin producing widespread light to moderate snowfall. Localized heavy snow occurred in Winnemucca and Golconda Summit, where 11-16 inches of snow was observed. Additionally, heavy snow fell across southern Lander and Eureka Counties. Snow amounts observed were 11-14 inches in Austin and Eureka. The heaviest snow fell from March 14th to 15th in central Nevada, and March 16th to 17th for northwestern Nevada.
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 Mar 14, 9:33 AM PST, 27 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Elko NV 1033 AM PDT Wed Mar 14 2018 .UPDATE...Morning forecast has been updated to take into account the stalling of the cold front over Elko, Eureka, and Lander counties this morning. Heavy wet snow flakes are occurring and this is leading to some snow accumulations. Current forecast has around 1 inch in valleys with 1-3 in higher elevations. In addition lightning strikes have been detected in eastern Elko county just ahead of the aforementioned front. As such isolated thunderstorms have been added to the forecast going into this afternoon. This also includes White Pine county as the front will be slow to traverse eastward and enough instability resides just ahead of it to allow for additional convection further south. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED AT 506 AM / SYNOPSIS...A cold front associated with a storm system will move through the state today brining showers and a few thunderstorms to much of the state. Valley rain showers will transition to snow this evening as colder air moves into the region. Significant snow accumulations will be confined to elevations above 6500 feet. An active weather pattern will continue into the weekend with another weather disturbance and cold front moving through the state Friday. UPDATE...Winds across White Pine county remain elevated as mid- level jet and pre-frontal winds from the south strengthen over the area. Extended wind advisory until 5PM this afternoon. Short- term models are in good agreement in a brief lull around sunrise before increasing winds this afternoon. Winds are expected to diminish considerably tonight as the cold front moves through and pressure gradient relaxes. PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED AT 316 AM / SHORT TERM...Today through Saturday. Dynamic trough with attendant cold front will make its way through the region today. Band of showers thunderstorms from northwestern Nye and Lander counties northward to western Elko county is progged to move eastward along the frontal boundary today. Colder air filtering in behind the cold front will drop snow levels after sunset across much of the state. This will lend to some snow accumulation in valleys but significant snow amounts are expected to remain above 6500 ft across central and northeastern NV. In general, 4-8" of snow is expected through Thursday in elevations above 6500 ft with highest mountain ranges receiving around 1 foot of snow. Total liquid equivalent precipitation will range from 0.20" to 0.75" in the mountains of central and northeastern NV including the Ruby Mountains. Elevated pre-frontal winds across White Pine county will slowly subside late this afternoon and evening as the front pushes into west- central UT. The main Pacific low will shift southward along the WA/OR coast Friday bringing another round of precip to the state. This time, colder air mass will be in place for a mostly snow event Friday and Saturday. This could lead to advisory worthy snow totals in the valleys even with some melting during the day. Snow will linger into Saturday before northwest flow kicks in Saturday night and Sunday drying things out a bit. LONG TERM...Saturday night through Tuesday. Broad cyclone will be centered over the Pacific Northwest but extends into central NV with pieces of energy rotating it. Current models are suggesting this cyclone becomes an open wave and moves downstream Monday night. Unsettled weather with spotty snow showers continue Saturday night into Sunday night. Expect well below normal temperatures this weekend. Short lived ridge slowly moves across the Great Basin Monday and Tuesday, but the next moist Pacific trough could be approaching the Great Basin on Wednesday. Since this is a closed low circulation, timing can be challenging as it moves toward the West Coast. AVIATION...Unsettled conditions at all TAF sites with occasional showers with G25-30 kts common during the day. KELY will have higher gusts to G35kts and the best chance to have -TSRA. Precipitation type will be rain, but expect a change over to snow between 21Z this afternoon through 03Z this evening at KEKO and KELY. Cigs will be lower after 00Z this evening with some areas at MVFR. Mountains will be obscured at times. && .LKN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 5 PM PDT Thursday for Northeastern Nye County-Northern Elko County-Northern Lander County and Northern Eureka County-Northwestern Nye County-Ruby Mountains/East Humboldt Range-Southern Lander County and Southern Eureka County-Southwestern Elko County. Wind Advisory until 5 PM PDT this afternoon for White Pine County. && 89/93/93
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Bands of heavy snow developed across southern Lander and Eureka Counties during the morning and afternoon of March 14th. Snow continued in southern Lander county into the 15th. Austin received 6.5 inches, with a two day total of 10 inches. Eureka picked up 7.5 inches of snow.
A very localized heavy snow band formed and remained stationary over extreme southeast Humboldt County, including Golconda Summit and the town of Winnemucca. Significant localized snow amounts ranged from 11 inches around Winnemucca to 16 inches near Golconda Summit. This was a historic snow event for Winnemucca, breaking snowfall records.
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, March 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: 741629, 741628.