A strong shortwave slammed into the Sierra on the evening of the 16th and brought widespread heavy snow to the Sierra along with strong winds. The lower valleys of western Nevada received moderate to heavy spillover rainfall from this second shortwave.
Every event with a place to put it; 4 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 REV wrote it up.
A strong shortwave slammed into the Sierra on the evening of the 16th and brought widespread heavy snow to the Sierra along with strong winds. The lower valleys of western Nevada received moderate to heavy spillover rainfall from this second shortwave.
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 15, 7:48 PM PST, 5 hours 12 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
748 PM PST Tue Jan 15 2019
.UPDATE...
The current part of the storm continues to over perform on the
east side of the Sierra as well. We will upgrade the advisory to
a warning for the Reno/Carson City area tonight. Current radar and
satellite imagery supports a gradual increase in intensity from
Carson City north over the next couple of hours and there is a
reinforcing wave trying to move through the Sierra. Most of the
precipitation associated with that wave will get wrung out on the
west side of the Sierra and near the crest...but additional
moderate to heavy snow is likely through the late evening east of
the Sierra.
&&
.SYNOPSIS...
Snow with moderate impacts is expected for the Sierra into Wednesday
as low pressure moves into the region, with a round of snow
impacting Tuesday evening's commute in western Nevada. The period of
heaviest snow, along with strong southwest winds, arrives in the
Sierra Wednesday night and Thursday with blizzard conditions
forecast above 7000 feet. Lower valley rain Wednesday into Thursday
could change to snow before ending Thursday night.
&&
.PREVIOUS DISCUSSION... /Issued 655 PM PST Tue Jan 15 2019/
UPDATE...
Based on recent reports received from the west side of the Lake
Tahoe Basin...the current storm is over performing in the Sierra
and likely in the western portions of Lassen County and central
Plumas and Sierra counties. Given that there is another
significant band of precipitation poised to move into the
Sierra...we have opted to upgrade the current advisories for Mono
County and the Lake Tahoe Basin to Winter Storm Warnings that
extend to Friday morning. There should be a brief break late
Wednesday morning through Wednesday afternoon from the heaviest
snow...and this break will be longer in Mono County than the Lake
Tahoe Basin...but the impacts are not likely to lessen during
that time and travel will still be difficult.
The stronger part of the overall storm is still on track to impact
the area Wednesday evening and overnight into early Thursday.
Given the current situation...it seems reasonable to just include
the entire two part event in one warning.
That is not the case for northeast California where amounts will
be lighter through early Wednesday afternoon...so that advisory
will remain in place and be upgraded to a warning Wednesday
evening.
To the east...light snow should continue through much of the
evening before tapering off after midnight. The advisories for far
western and northwest Nevada will remain unchanged.
SYNOPSIS...
Snow with moderate impacts is expected for the Sierra into Wednesday
as low pressure moves into the region, with a round of snow
impacting Tuesday evening's commute in western Nevada. The period of
heaviest snow, along with strong southwest winds, arrives in the
Sierra Wednesday night and Thursday with blizzard conditions
forecast above 7000 feet. Lower valley rain Wednesday into Thursday
could change to snow before ending Thursday night.
PREVIOUS DISCUSSION... /Issued 255 PM PST Tue Jan 15 2019/
SYNOPSIS...
Snow with moderate impacts is expected for the Sierra into Wednesday
as low pressure moves into the region, with a round of snow
impacting Tuesday evening's commute in western Nevada. The period of
heaviest snow, along with strong southwest winds, arrives in the
Sierra Wednesday night and Thursday with blizzard conditions
forecast above 7000 feet. Lower valley rain Wednesday into Thursday
could change to snow before ending Thursday night.
SHORT TERM...
Changes: Winter storm watches were upgraded to Winter Storm
Warnings and Blizzard Warnings for the Sierra. Blizzard conditions
can be expected Wednesday night into Thursday morning mainly above
7000 feet; travel is discouraged. Precipitation totals were
increased for this period as well. Snow characteristic is
expected to be heavy "Sierra Cement" through early Thursday before
transitioning to more powdery consistency later Thursday. The
later round of snow in the Sierra is expected to be significant,
but winds will be lighter. However, do not be caught off guard
since fluffier snow is easier to blow around and white outs are
still possible.
Rest of Today/Tonight: Otherwise, the main messages continue. A
series of storms will move through the region through early Friday
morning with a Strong storm, by Sierra standards, expected
Wednesday night and Thursday. While a lot of focus is on the
stronger storm, non-trivial amounts of snow are expected for the
Sierra Front this evening and for the Sierra leading up to the more
impactful system. 1 to 3 inches can be expected for this evening's
commute in the Reno/Carson Metros; localized higher amounts up to 6
inches will be possible above 5000 feet. Winter Weather Advisories
remain intact into Wednesday.
Sierra: There could be a short window for travel late Wednesday
morning into the early afternoon in the Sierra as precipitation
rates slack off. However, the next system will follow with heavy
snows over Sierra passes by early evening. The biggest boom/bust
scenario continues to be for lower elevations in the Sierra around
Truckee and Lake Tahoe. Snow levels are expected to rise,
however, there is a large enough chance that wet-bulbing and
precip rates will overcome any warm air advection that may occur.
Our best recommendation is to prepare for heavy accumulations down
to lake level starting Wednesday night and continuing through
early Friday morning. Above 7000 feet, it's game on! 2+ inches of
liquid is anticipated with 2 to 6 feet of snow forecast. Avalanche
danger will be on the rise, and the Sierra Avalanche Center has
issued an Avalanche Watch for the Tahoe Basin.
Western Nevada: Wednesday/Thursday precipitation is largely
expected to fall as rain with snow levels falling to 5000-5500
feet by Thursday afternoon. Liquid amount of 1/2 to 1.5 inches can
be expected with highest amounts west of Highway 395 in the
foothills. Virginia City folks will be on the edge of the
rain/snow line and could see significant accumulations through
this period. Winds will be gusty at times, but should be strongest
just ahead of precipitation Thursday evening; Sierra Front gusts
of near 45 mph will be likely.
Northeast California: The first storm will be on track to bring
decent snow through Wednesday morning before the stronger storm
arrives. Expect travel impacts with highest snow totals above 5000
feet and west of Susanville. The second system will bring heavier
snow totals to Lassen/Plumas Counties and travel is discouraged
for routes west of Susanville as well as north of Susanville along
Highway 395. Susanville could see some snow if colder scenarios
verify, but only up to 4 inches from tonight through early Friday
morning is currently possible. Boyd
LONG TERM...Friday through Tuesday...
Main change for the extended period is trending precip chances and
amounts upward for Sunday-Sunday night. Even with this increasing
trend, rain and snow amounts with this system will still be much
less compared to the powerful Wednesday-Thursday storm.
Lingering snow showers Friday morning should diminish with minimal
additional accumulation, as a flat ridge builds into CA-NV. For
Friday afternoon-night, a weak disturbance moving through the
Pacific Northwest may produce light snow showers across northeast CA
and northwest NV. Dry conditions are expected to prevail Saturday-
Saturday night as the ridge moves eastward across the Great Basin,
although widespread mid-high level cloud cover will persist.
Aside from digging out/clearing of snow from the Thursday storm
which may continue into Friday morning, most of Friday through
Saturday look to be favorable days for travel over the major Sierra
highways.
For Sunday-Sunday night, we will have one more storm system to deal
with. This will be a more modest storm by Sierra standards,
although capable of producing some travel impacts in higher
elevations and over main passes primarily Sunday afternoon-evening.
Current projections call for possibly a few inches of snowfall at
lake level, maybe 6-12 inches near the Sierra crest. Snow levels
will generally range from 6000-6500 feet through early afternoon,
then drop to near lower valleys Sunday evening. Light accumulations
are possible for far western NV, up to an inch or two mainly in
the foothills.
For early next week, a longer break in the active weather is likely
as a ridge of high pressure builds near the west coast. This should
block additional storms from reaching the Sierra, although weak
shortwaves could drop in from the north later next week. Valley
inversions are expected to return, keeping daytime highs in valleys
near or slightly below average (mainly lower-mid 40s) with similar
temps near the Sierra. MJD
AVIATION...
For the Sierra terminals (MMH,TRK,TVL): IFR/LIFR conditions will
prevail through much of tonight with steady snow continuing. Expect
at least a few inches to accumulate on runways, especially after 00Z
and/or during heavier snow bands. A short period of improved
VSBY/CIGS is likely during the day Wednesday with scattered -SHSN.
Then conditions will severely deteriorate Wednesday night through
much of Thursday with heavy snow accumulations, strong winds with
widespread turbulence/areas of LLWS, and near zero visibility.
For the western NV terminals (including RNO,CXP,MEV,RTS,SVE): IFR
conditions will prevail through this evening, with the bulk of the
snow occurring between 23Z-04Z. Some improvement is possible later
tonight, although cigs may remain MVFR thru Wed morning. Snow
accumulations will be more limited as sfc temps remain near or above
freezing, although a couple inches of slushy snow could pile up
during periods of heavier snow bands, especially at sites above
valley floors such as RTS. Wednesday should see some improved
conditions with only a slight chance of -SHRA, although increasing
winds will produce areas of mountain wave turbulence and possible
LLWS during the afternoon and evening. Conditions will worsen
Wednesday night with rain increasing, possibly heavy enough at times
for IFR CIGS/VSBY thru Thursday AM, followed by a period of snow
Thursday afternoon. MJD
&&
.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Winter Weather Advisory until 7 AM PST Wednesday NVZ005.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Friday NVZ002.
Blizzard Warning from 7 PM Wednesday to 7 AM PST Thursday above
7000 feet in NVZ002.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Wednesday NVZ003.
CA...Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST Wednesday above 5000 feet
in CAZ071.
Winter Storm Warning from 4 PM Wednesday to 4 AM PST Friday
CAZ071.
Winter Weather Advisory until 7 AM PST Wednesday CAZ070.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Friday CAZ072-073.
Blizzard Warning from 10 PM Wednesday to 7 AM PST Thursday above
7000 feet in CAZ073.
Blizzard Warning from 7 PM Wednesday to 7 AM PST Thursday above
7000 feet in CAZ072.
&&
For more information from the National Weather Service visit...
http://weather.gov/renoPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
722 PM PST TUE JAN 15 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0715 PM SNOW 1 WNW RENO 39.54N 119.83W
01/15/2019 M2.0 INCH WASHOE NV NWS EMPLOYEE
NWS EMPLOYEE MEASURED 2.0 INCHES OF SNOW IN
NW RENO STARTING FROM EARLIER THIS EVENING.
0715 PM SNOW 1 SW LAKEVIEW 39.20N 119.81W
01/15/2019 M5.0 INCH CARSON CITY NV TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER MEASURED 5.0 INCHES
OF SNOW STARTING FROM THIS AFTERNOON AT AN
ELEVATION OF 5252 FEET.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
1114 PM PST TUE JAN 15 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1000 PM SNOW RENO-TAHOE INTL. AIRPOR 39.50N 119.77W
01/15/2019 M1.6 INCH WASHOE NV CO-OP OBSERVER
THE RENO-TAHOE INTL. AIRPORT WEATHER
OBSERVERS MEASURED 1.6 INCHES OF SNOW SINCE
~2 PM THIS AFTERNOON. MEASURED 0.45 INCHES
OF LIQUID.
0715 PM SNOW 1 WNW RENO 39.54N 119.83W
01/15/2019 M2.0 INCH WASHOE NV NWS EMPLOYEE
NWS EMPLOYEE MEASURED 2.0 INCHES OF SNOW IN
NW RENO STARTING FROM EARLIER THIS EVENING.
0715 PM SNOW 1 SW LAKEVIEW 39.20N 119.81W
01/15/2019 M5.0 INCH CARSON CITY NV TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER MEASURED 5.0 INCHES
OF SNOW STARTING FROM THIS AFTERNOON AT AN
ELEVATION OF 5252 FEET.
0500 PM SNOW TAHOE CITY 39.17N 120.14W
01/15/2019 M5.5 INCH PLACER CA TRAINED SPOTTER
CO-OP OBSERVER MEASURED 5.5 INCHES OF SNOW
AROUND LAKE LEVEL STARTING FROM THIS
AFTERNOON.
1000 PM SNOW NWS RENO OFFICE 39.57N 119.80W
01/15/2019 M5.9 INCH WASHOE NV OFFICIAL NWS OBS
NWS RENO OFFICIAL OBSERVATION OF 5.9 INCHES
OF SNOW SINCE 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON WITH A
LIQUID WATER EQUIVALENT OF 0.59 INCHES.
0800 PM SNOW 3 WSW GARDNERVILLE RANC 38.87N 119.80W
01/15/2019 M6.0 INCH DOUGLAS NV TRAINED SPOTTER
CORRECTS PREVIOUS SNOW REPORT FROM 3 WSW
GARDNERVILLE RANCH. TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER
MEASURED 6.0 INCHES OF SNOW STARTING FROM
THIS AFTERNOON AT AN ELEVATION OF 4821 FEET.
0900 PM SNOW 4 SSW RENO 39.49N 119.86W
01/15/2019 M6.0 INCH WASHOE NV TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER MEASURED 6.0 INCHES
OF SNOW STARTING AFTER 2 PM AT AN ELEVATION
OF 5122 FEET.
1000 PM SNOW 5 WNW SUSANVILLE 40.43N 120.75W
01/15/2019 M6.0 INCH LASSEN CA TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER MEASURED 6.0 INCHES
OF SNOW SINCE THIS AFTERNOON AT AN ELEVATION
OF 5072 FEET. LIQUID WATER EQUIVALENT
EQUALED 0.60 INCHES.
1110 PM SNOW 2 WNW SUN VALLEY 39.61N 119.82W
01/15/2019 M6.5 INCH WASHOE NV NWS EMPLOYEE
NWS EMPLOYEE MEASURED 6.5 INCHES OF SNOW IN
GOLDEN VALLEY SINCE 4:30 PM AT AN ELEVATION
OF 5180 FEET.
0620 PM SNOW HOMEWOOD 39.09N 120.16W
01/15/2019 M9.5 INCH PLACER CA PUBLIC
PUBLIC REPORTED 9.5 INCHES OF SNOW AT LAKE
LEVEL IN HOMEWOOD STARTING FROM THIS
MORNING.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
1159 PM PST TUE JAN 15 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1000 PM SNOW RENO-TAHOE INTL. AIRPOR 39.50N 119.77W
01/15/2019 M1.6 INCH WASHOE NV CO-OP OBSERVER
THE RENO-TAHOE INTL. AIRPORT WEATHER
OBSERVERS MEASURED 1.6 INCHES OF SNOW SINCE
~2 PM THIS AFTERNOON. MEASURED 0.45 INCHES
OF LIQUID.
0715 PM SNOW 1 WNW RENO 39.54N 119.83W
01/15/2019 M2.0 INCH WASHOE NV NWS EMPLOYEE
NWS EMPLOYEE MEASURED 2.0 INCHES OF SNOW IN
NW RENO STARTING FROM EARLIER THIS EVENING.
0715 PM SNOW 1 SW LAKEVIEW 39.20N 119.81W
01/15/2019 M5.0 INCH CARSON CITY NV TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER MEASURED 5.0 INCHES
OF SNOW STARTING FROM THIS AFTERNOON AT AN
ELEVATION OF 5252 FEET.
0500 PM SNOW TAHOE CITY 39.17N 120.14W
01/15/2019 M5.5 INCH PLACER CA TRAINED SPOTTER
CO-OP OBSERVER MEASURED 5.5 INCHES OF SNOW
AROUND LAKE LEVEL STARTING FROM THIS
AFTERNOON.
1000 PM SNOW NWS RENO OFFICE 39.57N 119.80W
01/15/2019 M5.9 INCH WASHOE NV OFFICIAL NWS OBS
NWS RENO OFFICIAL OBSERVATION OF 5.9 INCHES
OF SNOW SINCE 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON WITH A
LIQUID WATER EQUIVALENT OF 0.59 INCHES.
0800 PM SNOW 3 WSW GARDNERVILLE RANC 38.87N 119.80W
01/15/2019 M6.0 INCH DOUGLAS NV TRAINED SPOTTER
CORRECTS PREVIOUS SNOW REPORT FROM 3 WSW
GARDNERVILLE RANCH. TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER
MEASURED 6.0 INCHES OF SNOW STARTING FROM
THIS AFTERNOON AT AN ELEVATION OF 4821 FEET.
0900 PM SNOW 4 SSW RENO 39.49N 119.86W
01/15/2019 M6.0 INCH WASHOE NV TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER MEASURED 6.0 INCHES
OF SNOW STARTING AFTER 2 PM AT AN ELEVATION
OF 5122 FEET.
1000 PM SNOW 5 WNW SUSANVILLE 40.43N 120.75W
01/15/2019 M6.0 INCH LASSEN CA TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER MEASURED 6.0 INCHES
OF SNOW SINCE THIS AFTERNOON AT AN ELEVATION
OF 5072 FEET. LIQUID WATER EQUIVALENT
EQUALED 0.60 INCHES.
1110 PM SNOW 2 WNW SUN VALLEY 39.61N 119.82W
01/15/2019 M6.5 INCH WASHOE NV NWS EMPLOYEE
NWS EMPLOYEE MEASURED 6.5 INCHES OF SNOW IN
GOLDEN VALLEY SINCE 4:30 PM AT AN ELEVATION
OF 5180 FEET.
1100 PM SNOW 3 W RENO 39.55N 119.88W
01/15/2019 M9.0 INCH WASHOE NV TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER MEASURED 9.0 INCHES
OF SNOW IN THE LAST 12 HOURS AT AN ELEVATION
OF 5171 FEET.
0620 PM SNOW HOMEWOOD 39.09N 120.16W
01/15/2019 M9.5 INCH PLACER CA PUBLIC
PUBLIC REPORTED 9.5 INCHES OF SNOW AT LAKE
LEVEL IN HOMEWOOD STARTING FROM THIS
MORNING.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
12 heavy rain, 2 heavy snow, 2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Mesonet stations within the Carson Range reported between 8 inches (4 miles north of Spooner Summit) and 13 inches (5 miles south-southeast of Verdi) of snowfall above 7800 feet MSL between the 16th and the 17th.
Mesonet SPNN2 1 mile northeast of Spanish Springs reported 0.90 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0109PST to 17 January 0109PST. Mesonet elevation 4493 feet MSL.
Mesonet D9477 1 mile southeast of Johnson Lane reported 0.94 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0325PST to 17 January 0325PST. Mesonet elevation 5000 feet MSL.
ASOS RNO, Reno-Tahoe International Airport reported 0.95 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0355PST to 17 January 0355PST.
Storm total snowfall between 24.5 inches (1 mile north-northwest of Incline Village) and 62 inches (Mount Rose Ski Area) was reported in the higher elevations (generally above 7200 feet MSL) of the Carson Range between the 16th and the 18th.
CO-OP observer Q63 near Sutcliffe reported 1.17 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0700PST to 17 January 0700PST.
CO-OP observer CRCN2 in Carson City reported 1.00 inch of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0700PST to 17 January 0700PST.
CoCoRaHS station NV-WH-144 4 miles west-southwest of Lockwood reported 0.98 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0700PST to 17 January 0700PST.
Mesonet THLN2 5 miles north-northwest of Washoe City reported 1.06 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0748PST to 17 January 0748PST. Mesonet elevation 6040 feet MSL.
CoCoRaHS station NV-DG-23 3 miles east-southeast of Heavenly Valley reported 1.06 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0800PST to 17 January 0800PST.
CoCoRaHS station NV-WH-133 2 miles west-southwest of Reno reported 1.00 inch of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0800PST to 17 January 0800PST.
Mesonet AU849 3 miles west of Reno reported 1.50 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0826PST to 17 January 0826PST. Mesonet elevation 5174 feet MSL.
Mesonet station AS399 in Sun Valley reported 1.46 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0830PST to 17 January 0830PST. Mesonet elevation 4767 feet MSL.
Mesonet AV084 15 miles north of Cold Springs Valley reported 1.06 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period from 16 January 0838PST to 17 January 0838PST. Mesonet elevation 4701 feet MSL.
Mesonet station CYVN2 at 7 miles east of Dixie Valley measured a wind gust of 64 mph (elevation 7622 feet MSL).
Mesonet station atop Peavine Mountain measured a sustained wind of 61 mph with a gust to 85 mph (elevation 8260 feet MSL).
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nevada in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, January 2019
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: 807064, 807093, 807092, 807076, 807061, 807073, 807087, 807089, 807077, 807081, 807083, 807080, 807074, 807082, 807048, 807039.