Heavy Snow and High Wind in California, March 13 to 18, 2020

Name: Heavy Snow and High Wind in California, March 13 to 18, 2020
Start: 2020-03-13T07:00
End: 2020-03-18T09:00
Location: California

March 13 to 18, 2020 · NWS REV · 8 events in 4 counties and zones

S. West Coast.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 8 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

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

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 winds and heavy precipitation in northeast California and the Sierra Nevada were associated with a slow-moving cutoff low near the U.S. West Coast.

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 Mar 13, 2:51 AM PST, 4 hours 9 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 13, 2:51 AM PST, 4 hours 9 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
351 AM PDT Fri Mar 13 2020

.SYNOPSIS...

A strong storm arrives late Friday with strong winds followed by
significant Sierra snow and travel delays over the passes. Snow is
likely across western NV with accumulations above 5500 feet, snow
accumulations are possible on valley floors by Sunday morning and
again Monday morning. Chilly and unsettled weather is expected to
persist into the first half of next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...

Forecast remains on track with an abrupt change from spring-like
weather today back to winter weather this weekend. A dynamic late
season storm is forecast to slowly slide down the west coast
through the weekend bringing heavy snow to the mountains, rain
and snow to the valleys, and strong gusty winds throughout the
region.

Winds are expected to pick up this afternoon ahead of the front
becoming strong and gusty through Saturday. Upper level winds are
expected to peak tonight with surface winds staying elevated
overnight tonight. Wind advisories along with Fire Weather Watches
are in place this afternoon into Saturday due to the lack of
recent precipitation and dry air ahead of the incoming cold front.

Snow will move into the Sierra tonight becoming heavy and lasting
through the weekend. The largest accumulations over the weekend
are expected in the central Sierra with 2-4 feet along the crest
and 12-18 inches around the Lake Tahoe basin. The low progresses
slowly down the coast so Mono County may only see about 1 foot in
the higher elevations through the weekend. Travel over the Sierra
could be challenging or impossible at times this weekend due to
heavy snow and low visibility.

As usual the snow forecast for western Nevada remains more
challenging with snow levels hovering around 5000 feet as the
cold core of the low pressure remains in California through the
weekend. The most likely scenario is that snow accumulates during
the overnight hours at the lowest elevations and then snow levels
rise off the valley floors during the day. Decent snow
accumulations of 4-6 inches are possible in the foot hills
including Virginia City. Precipitation amounts in western Nevada
of around 0.5" are possible as moisture is expected to spill into
western Nevada Saturday afternoon through Sunday. -Zach

.LONG TERM...Monday through Thursday...

The only substantive change made to the inherited long term forecast
was to increase QPF and POPs for the Monday/Tuesday time frame.
Forecast models are still showing a broad closed/cut-off low
dropping slowly down the California coast into early Wednesday
morning. By Wednesday morning the low begins to turn east and move
into Southern California. Some model solutions do favor a secondary
area of low pressure developing over our area Wednesday. That would
prolong the period of slight chance to low-end chance POPs through
Wednesday night...but nor all models are as aggressive with this
outcome. That low begins to move east by Thursday...but models are
developing another closed low and moving it toward the California
Coast after Thursday.

The presence of the upper low to our east supports a continued
influx of low- to mid-level moisture as its positions just offshore
is more favorable to pick up moisture and drive it inland. This is
in contrast to a more overland trajectory if the low were to drop
along the spine of the Sierra. That scenario would result in less
precipitation. The wetter scenario is favored now.

The location of the low also places the bulk of our forecast area in
an area of upper level deformation/diffluence. That will enhance
lift from the Sierra eastward and...acting on increased moisture...
aid the development of precipitation. This was the biggest reason
POPs and QPF were increased.

Lastly...the presence of the low and its attendant clouds and
precipitation should keep high temperatures a little below model
guidance. Even so...the fact that it is mid-March will allow valley
temperatures to rise enough that snow accumulations area difficult
to attain in the daytime hours below about 5500 feet. Even road
surface in the mountains will be less inclined to see much
accumulation in the daylight hours...unless precipitation rates are
quite heavy.

&&

.AVIATION...

VFR conditions are expected today and tonight...but we will start to
see south-southwest winds increase ahead of the next storm slated to
impact the region this weekend. Gusts of 20-25 kts are possible
after 21Z this afternoon at all area terminals.

The next storm will be strong with winds the main concern tonight
and Saturday. Ridge winds now look to gust near 100 kts after 06Z
Sat through 00Z Sun with moderate to severe mtn wave turbulence and
LLWS for the terminals. Winds should be lighter after 00Z...but
still have local LLWS and moderate mtn wave turbulence through
Sunday.

As for the snow...high confidence in heavy snowfall for the Tahoe
terminals Saturday afternoon through Monday morning with a foot or
more of runway accumulation possible. Mammoth may be delayed 24
hours and not as heavy with a few inches possible. Western Nevada
terminals will depend on timing with up to 3 inches possible if snow
falls overnight. Either way...expect a prolonged period of IFR/LIFR
in the Sierra with IFR/MVFR at times for western Nevada.
-LaGuardia/X/XX

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect for the Sierra Front in
western Nevada and the eastern Sierra of Mono County from this
afternoon into Saturday due to strong winds and low humidity.

Gusty winds and low afternoon humidity will return for western
Nevada and the lower elevations of eastern Lassen County this
afternoon. Winds could remain gusty through tonight with limited
humidity recovery. For Saturday...strong winds may develop by
sunrise...especially for the Sierra Front...with gusty winds
spreading south into Mono...Mineral and southern Lyon counties.
Snow...lighter winds...and higher humidity should move into eastern
Lassen County by Saturday evening then push south into western
Nevada and the Sierra Front Saturday night. Brong/Hoon/XX

&&

.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Fire Weather Watch from this afternoon through Saturday
     afternoon NVZ420-421-429.

     Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 PM PDT Saturday
     NVZ001-003>005.

     Winter Storm Watch from Saturday morning through Monday morning
     NVZ002.

     Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 11 AM PDT Saturday
     NVZ002.

     Winter Storm Watch from Saturday afternoon through Monday
     morning NVZ003.

CA...Fire Weather Watch from this afternoon through Saturday
     afternoon CAZ274.

     Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 PM PDT Saturday
     CAZ070-071.

     Winter Storm Watch from Saturday morning through Monday morning
     CAZ071>073.

     Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 11 AM PDT Saturday
     CAZ072.

&&

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

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 high wind, 3 heavy snow, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Greater Lake Tahoe Area

When: March 13, 7:00 AM PST to March 17, 7:00 AM PST
Where: Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.935, -120.458 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Variable snowfall. Up to 31 inches was reported along the southern shore of Lake Tahoe, up to 60 inches reported at lake level on the western shore, up to 45 inches reported at Tahoe City, and greater than 44 inches reported along the higher elevations of the northwest portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Closer to Truckee only 8 inches of snowfall was reported.

High Wind, Greater Lake Tahoe Area

When: March 13, 1:00 PM PST to March 14, 7:00 AM PST
Where: Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone
Measured: 100 kt (115 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.935, -120.458 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Variable wind gusts across the Greater Lake Tahoe Area. Localized valley gusts 55 MPH along the south and west shores of Lake Tahoe. Ridge gusts along the northwest portion of the Tahoe Basin were 113 and 115 MPH at Squaw Summit and Alpine Summit, respectfully.

Heavy Snow, Mono

When: March 14, 12:00 AM PST to March 17, 7:00 AM PST
Where: Mono forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.939, -118.887 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trained weather spotter reported a 3-day storm total snowfall of 7.5 inches 1 mile southwest of Toms Place.

Winter Weather, Surprise Valley

When: March 14, 12:00 AM PST to March 18, 5:00 AM PST
Where: Surprise Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.590, -120.725 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The public reported a 4-day storm total snowfall of 12 inches at Cedarville.

Heavy Snow, Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra

When: March 14, 12:00 AM PST to March 18, 9:00 AM PST
Where: Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.086, -120.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Variable snowfall was reported across the zone during the 4-day storm period. Near Portola and Lake Davis, up to 34 inches was reported through the morning of the 15th. Near Doyle, up to 10 inches were reported through the morning of the 17th. Farther north near US 395 and Susanville, between 7 to 12 inches was reported. Five miles west of Susanville, 39 inches was reported. Closer to Eagle Lake, 9.5 inches of snowfall was reported.

High Wind, Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra

When: March 14, 3:00 AM PST to 1:00 PM PST
Where: Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.086, -120.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind prone areas along US 395 saw gusts 45 to 63 MPH, with Doyle seeing the strongest gust of 63 MPH.

High Wind, Surprise Valley

When: March 14, 3:16 AM PST to 3:17 AM PST
Where: Surprise Valley forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.590, -120.725 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station near Fort Bidwell reported a 65 MPH wind gust.

High Wind, Mono

When: March 14, 6:00 AM PST to 3:00 PM PST
Where: Mono forecast zone
Measured: 90 kt (104 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 37.939, -118.887 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Widespread wind gusts between 50 to 60 MPH along the lower elevations of US 395 in the eastern Sierra, with several wind-prone areas seeing peak gusts greater than 60 MPH. Notable high gusts were 67 MPH at Conway Summit, 73 MPH at the head of Lundy Canyon, 103 MPH atop Mammoth Mountain, and 60 MPH near Toms Place.

What these are

Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in California in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in California, March 2020

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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 961263, 960906, 961257, 961264, 961266, 961248, 961252, 960850.