A stronger storm system moved across the Sierra Nevada mainly on the 16th, with lighter snow showers and icy roads lingering into the morning of the 17th. This storm produced strong winds, but it also produced more significant precipitation that previous storms, mainly as snow.
Every event with a place to put it; 31 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 stronger storm system moved across the Sierra Nevada mainly on the 16th, with lighter snow showers and icy roads lingering into the morning of the 17th. This storm produced strong winds, but it also produced more significant precipitation that previous storms, mainly as snow.
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, 2:54 PM PST, 11 hours 46 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
254 PM PST Wed Jan 15 2020
.SYNOPSIS...
A strong winter storm will move through the region tonight
through Thursday. This storm will bring heavy mountain snow,
strong gusty winds, and a plenty of travel headaches. Less active
weather is expected Friday and over the MLK weekend with the
possibility more storms next week.
&&
.SHORT TERM...Through Friday.
The strongest storm in the series is knocking at the door. This
storm is going to bring very strong winds to the region tonight
through Thursday, heavy snow with periods of blizzard like
conditions in the Sierra, and a burst of heavy snow to western
Nevada along the cold front Thursday. Main changes today were to
upgrade the Wind Advisory to a High Wind Warning in Mineral and
southern Lyon counties, and add a Wind Advisory for the Basin and
Range. Also issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Western Nevada.
A beautifully occluded cyclone currently off the coast of the
Pacific Northwest is going to drive a fast moving, very dynamic cold
front through the region tomorrow. You can view the new GOES
satellites at rammb-slider.cira.colostate.edu, just change the
satellite to GOES-17(West).
Ahead of the front, winds will start ramping up along the ridges
late this afternoon with wind gusts 100-130 mph likely tonight
into tomorrow morning over the crest. Winds will be variable
overnight in the valleys where low-level inversions keep some of
the lowest valleys calm overnight, other areas in the foothills
and the Tahoe Basin will start ripping overnight.
Winds are expected to mix efficiently to the surface Thursday as
the lower levels become increasingly unstable. The southerly
direction also favors widespread strong winds in the lower north-
south oriented valleys. Dangerous conditions are expected for
high-profile vehicles and aviation through much of the day on
Thursday. Widespread wind gusts of 50 mph are expected throughout
much of the region with wind prone areas potentially gusting over
70 mph. Blowing dust could also be a significant hazard in west
central Nevada where very little precipitation has fallen this
winter. Check the High Wind Warning and Wind Advisories for more
info.
Along and and behind the front a period of intense snowfall is
expected. One of the biggest threats is expected to be the heavy
snowfall rates of 2+ inches per hour (in the Sierra) and the strong
winds along the front that could cause near zero visibility at
times. The worst conditions over Donner Summit are expected from
around 12-6pm. Low visibility is one of the main things that
causes I-80 to close, so if at all possible, avoid traveling
across the Sierra during this window. Otherwise the forecast
remains on track with lower Sierra locations including
Truckee/Tahoe/Mammoth Lakes could picking up 6-12 inches of snow
with 1-2 feet or so along the Sierra crest.
And then there's the snow forecast for western Nevada, one of our
favorite challenges. As mentioned above, we issued a Winter Weather
Advisory for western Nevada including Reno/Sparks, Carson City,
Gardnerville and Virginia City. Temperatures are expected to
maximize ahead of the front with well above freezing temperatures
for the lower valleys as most areas reach their daily high
temperatures in the morning hours. This will allow the ground and
especially road surfaces to start quite warm. Precipitation may
start as a rain snow mix at the lowest elevations; however, the
front is very dynamic, with heavy snowfall rates and dry air
ahead of the front snow levels will drop rapidly.
So, for western Nevada snow amounts, here is our current
thinking. The strong fast moving front will bring a rapid onset of
heavy snow and reductions in visibility. But snow will struggle
to accumulate in the lowest valleys, like the Reno metro area, due
to warm road surfaces. Current forecasting is for 1/2 to 1 1/2
inches of snow in Reno, but much of this may melt as it hits the
ground. Above about 5000 feet will be a different story with snow
accumulating much quicker with 2 to 5 inches expected for the
foothills, Virginia City, and in Carson City. The timing of some
of the heaviest snow is forecast for right around the evening
commute, because of course it is.
Snow showers will taper off fairly quickly behind the front in
western Nevada, but upslope showers could continue through
Thursday night along the Sierra crest. Cooler temperatures, light
winds, and a winter wonderland can be expected on Friday. -Zach
.LONG TERM...Friday night through Wednesday...
The pattern continues to look a bit more active next week than
previously advertised. However, the one or two storms that may move
through look to be on the low to moderate end. Changes were to
increase the threat of precip Tuesday and Wednesday next week along
with more of an increase in winds. That said, it is not a certainty
we will see these storms as considerable variability remains in the
ensembles.
This weekend, any chances of precip are looking less and less with
the weak storms likely to stay north. We will keep a slight chance
of rain/snow in northeast California and near the Oregon border for
Saturday afternoon and evening, but dry elsewhere. Temperatures will
remain near average for mid-January.
Clouds increase ahead of another potential storm on Monday with
chances for precip Tuesday and Wednesday. The GFS is the most
aggressive with amounts and duration, but this is an outlier.
Ensembles (which the EC is in line with) show weaker storms focused
more toward Tuesday into Wednesday. These storms look to be warmer
with snow levels 5500-7000 feet on average. Winds will also
increase, but how much depends on timing and how much the strong low
in the east Pacific weakens before it moves inland. X
.AVIATION...
Cloud cover and southwest winds aloft will continue to increase this
afternoon ahead of a strong, fast moving low pressure system from
the west. Surface winds are forecast to pick up early this evening
for all area terminals increasing overnight from the south-
southwest. Expect winds 10-20 kts sustained with gusts of up to 25-
30 kts this evening into the overnight hours before peaking Thursday
morning, mainly from 12Z-21Z. Sustained winds of 20-25 kts with
gusts 35-50 kts are likely during peak time period. As for
KMMH/KHTH/KLOL/NFL, the strongest wind period looks to be from 18Z-
03Z Thursday evening along the strong, frontal boundary.
LLWS is expected with moderate turbulence for all area terminals,
especially if traveling over the Sierra as ridge winds will likely
be gusting in the 60-80 kt range from the southwest. Blowing dust
can also be an issue for KLOL/KHTH/NFL during Thursday with the
strongest winds.
The strong southwest winds look to decrease Thursday night becoming
more tranquil for Friday.
As for precipitation...
KRNO/KCXP/KMEV: Snow showers begin to move into the area ~18Z
Thursday. According to the recent HRRR/NAM 3 km, the heaviest
snowfall looks to occur between 22Z-03Z before tapering early late
Thursday night. During this time, mountain obscuration and MVFR/IFR
VIS/CIG are forecast possibly dropping down to LIFR at times due to
strong precip intensity and gusty winds. Snowfall accumulations of 1-
3 inches is forecast for these terminals by late Thursday night,
more for KCXP/KMEV.
KTVL/KTRK: Snow showers look to move in by 19/20Z early Thursday
morning becoming more intense after 21Z. The heaviest snowfall is
likely to occur between 22Z-02Z with lingering showers thereafter.
Mountain obscuration and IFR/LIFR VIS/CIG are highly likely during
this time with blizzard conditions expected due to the combination
of very strong winds and snowfall. Accumulations of 8-12 inches of
snow are forecast for these terminals by early Friday morning.
KMMH: High resolution model guidance continues to show snow moving
into KMMH ~22/23Z, increasing in intensity after 00Z. Mountain
obscuration and IFR/LIFR conditions are likely with heaviest
snowfall and strong winds causing periods of blizzard conditions.
Heavy snowfall is forecast to taper ~04Z Thursday night with an
accumulation of 8-12 inches at the terminal.
KHTH/KLOL/NFL: Precipitation is likely to start out as a rain/snow
mix Thursday afternoon changing over to snow showers after sundown.
MVFR/IFR conditions are possible with a light snow accumulation of
up to half an inch.
Conditions recover during the day on Friday and into the weekend
with cold temperatures and much lighter winds. -LaGuardia
.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Wind Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST Thursday
NVZ005.
Winter Storm Warning from 7 AM to 10 PM PST Thursday NVZ002.
High Wind Warning from 10 AM to 7 PM PST Thursday NVZ001.
High Wind Warning from 1 AM to 1 PM PST Thursday NVZ003.
Winter Weather Advisory from noon to 8 PM PST Thursday NVZ003.
Wind Advisory from 7 AM to 7 PM PST Thursday NVZ004.
CA...Winter Weather Advisory from 4 AM to 4 PM PST Thursday CAZ071.
Wind Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 4 AM PST Thursday
CAZ071.
Wind Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST Thursday
CAZ070.
Winter Storm Warning from noon Thursday to 1 AM PST Friday
CAZ073.
Winter Storm Warning from 7 AM to 10 PM PST Thursday CAZ072.
&&
For more information from the National Weather Service visit...
http://weather.gov/renoThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
16 heavy snow, 13 high wind, 2 avalanche. Local standard time, as filed.
Mesonet LIB05 1 mile south of Topaz Lake reported a 61 mph wind gust (elevation 5047 feet MSL).
Trained weather spotter 3 miles west-southwest of Westwood reported 13.5 inches of snowfall in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0630PST to 17 January 0630PST at an elevation of 4983 feet MSL.
Alpine Meadows Ski Resort reported 15 inches of snowfall at an elevation of 6200 feet and 25 inches at an elevation of 8000 feet MSL in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0700PST to 17 January 0700PST.
Northstar Ski Resort reported 22 inches of snowfall in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0700PST to 17 January 0700PST at an elevation of 6900 feet MSL.
Heavenly Ski Resort reported 18 inches of snowfall in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0700PST to 17 January 0700PST at an elevation of 7499 feet MSL.
Homewood Mountain Ski Resort reported 13 inches of snowfall in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0700PST to 17 January 0700PST at an elevation of 7880 feet MSL.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort reported 10 inches of snowfall at an elevation of 9014 feet MSL in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0700PST to 17 January 0700PST.
June Mountain Ski Area reported 8 inches of snowfall at their base elevation of 7545 feet MSL and 12 inches of snowfall at their summit elevation of 10090 feet MSL in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0700PST to 17 January 0700PST.
A Truckee School District Official reported 8 to 10 inches of snowfall around the Truckee vicinity in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0700PST to 17 January 0700PST.
The public reported 7 inches of new snowfall in South Lake Tahoe via Twitter in a 10-hour period from 0713PST to 1713PST on 16 January at an elevation of 6237 feet MSL.
Truckee-Tahoe Airport official reported 11 inches of snowfall with a liquid water equivalent of 0.88 inches in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0722PST to 17 January 0722PST at an elevation of 5900 feet MSL.
Trained weather spotter 5 miles west-northwest of Susanville reported 12 inches of snowfall in a 12-hour period from 0727PST to 1927PST on 16 January at an elevation of 5072 feet MSL. Spotter also reported receiving 4 inches of snowfall in one hour in a convective snow band.
Trained weather spotter 2 miles northwest of Meyers reported 10.5 inches of snowfall with a liquid water equivalent of 0.92 inches in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0730PST to 17 January 0730PST at an elevation of 6298 feet MSL.
Trained weather spotter at Eagle Lake reported 6.5 inches of snowfall in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0815PST to 17 January 0815PST at an elevation of 5147 feet MSL.
Trained weather spotter in Lee Vining reported 5.2 inches of new snowfall in a 24-hour period from 16 January 0836PST to 17 January 0836PST at an elevation of 6797 feet MSL.
RAWS RNYC1 Rice Canyon measured a wind gust of 65 mph (elevation 6943 feet MSL).
Trained weather spotter 5 miles west-northwest of Susanville reported 10.5 inches of snowfall in a 5-hour period from 0930PST to 1430PST on 16 January at an elevation of 5072 feet MSL. Spotter reported receiving snowfall rates of up to 3 to 4 inches per hour in that time period.
Mesonet SIBSV Siberia atop Squaw Summit measured a wind gust of 114 mph (elevation 8700 feet MSL). Several gusts in the previous 6 hours were well over 65 mph.
Trained weather spotter 1-mile north-northwest of Portola reported 8 inches of snowfall in a 4-hour period from 1030PST to 1430PST on 16 January at an elevation of 4884 feet MSL. Spotter reported receiving snowfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour in that time period.
RAWS TADC1 at Tahoe Donner measured a wind gust of 69 mph (elevation 7399 feet MSL).
Mesonet SUMAM on Ward Peak measured a wind gust of 116 mph (elevation 8483 feet MSL).
Mesonet RHTAM (Roundhouse Top) mid-slope on Ward Mountain measured a wind gust of 65 mph (elevation 7880 feet MSL).
Mesonet SE406 along Twin Lakes Road measured a 63 mph wind gust (elevation 6543 feet MSL).
Mesonet MTH03 Mammoth Summit measured a 112 mph wind gust (elevation 11053 feet MSL). Several gusts in the previous 3 hours were well over 65 mph.
Mesonet MTH04 Mammoth Base measured a 67 mph wind gust (elevation 8915 feet MSL).
Mesonet MTH13 Mammoth Chair 1, Tower 5, measured a 67 mph wind gust (elevation 9005 feet MSL).
Mesonet MTH22 Mammoth Summit measured a 101 mph wind gust (elevation 10067 feet MSL). Several gusts in the previous 2 hours were well over 65 mph.
Mesonet MTH14 Mammoth Chair 1, Tower 9, measured a 63 mph wind gust (elevation 9385 feet MSL).
Mesonet MTH02 Mammoth Chair 22 measured an 85 mph wind gust (elevation 10067 feet MSL).
A large avalanche occurred between the Scott Chute and the Promised Land at Alpine Meadows Resort. 2 individuals were involved with one fatal injury with the other skier having severe lower-body injuries. A strong winter storm had hit in the previous 12-24 hours with 25 inches at the summit and over 15 inches at the base. Weather was mostly cloudy with high clouds at the time of the avalanche and light winds.
The Sierra Avalanche Center reported a full burial slab avalanche along the north side of Independence Lake. One skier of three triggered the slab avalanche about 40 feet from the crown line. The crown size varied from 10 to 48 inches and went about 100 feet wide. The slide went from an elevation of about 8400 feet MSL down to 7400 feet MSL. The skier tried to ski out at a fast 45 degrees to the left but was immediately buried. This person was buried for a total of 45 minutes. The skier's only injuries were some bruising and a small cut. The two other skiers were left unscathed about 200 feet from the bottom edge of the avalanche.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche, Greater Lake Tahoe Area | 2020-01-17 | 34 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in California, January 2020
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: 888325, 901411, 901408, 901409, 901410, 901412, 901417, 901418, 901419, 901421, 901414, 901413, 901415, 901422, 901423, 888311, 901416, 888315, 901420, 888313, 888316, 899438, 888327, 888328, 899440, 899441, 899439, 899442, 899443, 901386, 901387.