During the final week of December, a very active weather set up with a series of generally warmer Pacific winter storms moving through the region. These winter storms were able to tap into a deep layer of subtropical moisture provided by attendant atmospheric rivers that pushed snow levels higher as compared to earlier storm systems.
Every event with a place to put it; 5 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.
During the final week of December, a very active weather set up with a series of generally warmer Pacific winter storms moving through the region. These winter storms were able to tap into a deep layer of subtropical moisture provided by attendant atmospheric rivers that pushed snow levels higher as compared to earlier storm systems. The initial winter storm from 26-27 December pushed snow levels mainly above 7000 feet where 1-2 feet of snow fell. Sierra locations below 7000 feet generally received only 1-6 inches of accumulated snow. Precipitation across much of the rest of western Nevada fell as rain with 0.50-1 inch rainfall totals measured around the Reno-Sparks-Carson City multiplex, which continued south into Douglas and Lyon counties. Lesser precipitation amounts were reported farther east. Strong wind gusts were also reported on the 27 and 30 December, especially in Mineral, Lyon, and southern Churchill counties where weather spotters and the public reported some tree damage. Wind gusts over 90 mph near Walker Lake blew over several tractor-trailers along US-95 while peak gusts across Sierra ridge-tops exceeded 150 mph.
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 Dec 26, 1:44 PM PST, 6 hours 49 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
144 PM PST Mon Dec 26 2022
...Strong to damaging winds likely through Tuesday...
...Active weather pattern through the New Year...
.SYNOPSIS...
Dry and mild conditions prevail for today with considerable high
clouds. Very strong winds and heavy rain are expected in the
Sierra and portions of western Nevada tonight into Tuesday. Rain
transitions to snow in the Sierra Tuesday afternoon as snow levels
drop to foothill elevations Tuesday night. Additional storms keep
the chance of rain and mountain snow going with additional
impacts possible through New Years Day.
&&
.SHORT TERM...(Through Wednesday afternoon)...
Storm Highlights:
* A substantial atmospheric river storm will establish its presence
over the Sierra and western Nevada late Monday into Wednesday
morning with widespread impacts including: strong and potentially
damaging winds, heavy rain, and Sierra snow.
* The peak of the wind impacts are expected Monday night into early
Tuesday afternoon ahead of the bulk of the precipitation filtering
in. High Wind Warnings are in effect for much of the Sierra, NE
California, and W.Nevada.
* The first phase of the storm features high snow levels (above
7500' along the crest) with about a 12 hour period of moderate-
heavy rain in the Sierra. Highest elevations during this time
frame may see a wintry mix. Areas that see rain on snow may also
contend with some temporarily foggy conditions, but these would
be limited to areas protected from winds. Snow levels drop to
Sierra pass levels Tuesday afternoon.
* Impacts from snow across the Sierra are expected from early
Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning with heavy/wet Sierra
cement type snowfall. Winter Storm Watches have been upgraded to
Warnings across the Sierra and Advisories for NE California.
* For western Nevada, this will largely be a rain and wind event
with a few inches of snow accumulation possible for foothill areas
by Wed AM. While some minor urban and poor drainage area flooding
is likely during periods of high rainfall rates, mainstream river
flooding is not anticipated but rises are expected.
Storm Details:
* STRONG AND DAMAGING WINDS: High Wind Warnings are currently in
effect from Monday evening into Tuesday across NE California, the
eastern Sierra, and portions of western Nevada due the potential
for high winds ahead of the incoming precipitation.
Widespread wind gusts in the 50-60 mph range are expected. Wind
prone locations including foothill areas and along Highway 395 are
looking at about a 70% probability of exceeding 60 mph gusts and a
30% chance of exceeding 80 mph. Winds of this magnitude can be
damaging, so be sure to make preparations ahead of time and secure
any loose outdoor items or bring them indoors. Expect impacts to
travel, aviation, as well as downed fences and trees.
* PRECIPITATION (WARM PHASE through Tuesday morning): Being a
moisture laden atmospheric river storm, snow levels will quickly
jump from 7500' to near 9000-10000' with the arrival of the
main moisture surge Tuesday morning. Areas above 7500' could see
a period of wintry rain/snow mix ahead of the transition to all
snow. Moderate to heavy rain will be widespread across the
Sierra with spillover rain pushing into western Nevada valleys.
Rain amounts during this timeframe will generally range from
1.5-2.5 inches across the eastern Sierra. Western Nevada
spillover rain of 0.50-1.0" is possible with less than a quarter
of inch expected east of US-95A across the Basin and Range.
Sierra elevations above 8000' could see 6-15" of heavy/wet
Sierra cement which could impact higher passes such as Mt Rose
Summit (SR-431) and Carson Pass (SR-88).
* PRECIPITATION (COLD PHASE Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday): A
cold front will move through the region and lower snow levels to
near Sierra pass levels (7000-7500') by early Tuesday afternoon
and near lake level by early Tuesday evening before dipping to
around 5000' early Wednesday morning. This will be the period
where most widespread travel impacts are expected due to moderate
to heavy snow. Elevations above 7000 feet could see 12-18" of
heavy/wet Sierra cement and up to 2 feet mainly above 8000',
particularly along the Sierra crest. While western Nevada valleys
will see mainly rain, a rain/snow mix will be possible on the
valley floor Wednesday morning with foothills potentially
receiving a slushy few inches of snow.
Fuentes/HRICH
.LONG TERM...(Wednesday Night Through New Year's Day)...
Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning will be a brief
pause in the precipitation before multiple systems move through in
the last few days of 2022. Once Thursday morning comes, there won't
be another significant break in the precipitation until Sunday,
January 1st. Let's take a deeper look into it...
Snow for all elevations and the gusty winds will subside by
Wednesday evening. A shortwave trough will sneak by Thursday, having
just enough forcing to make for a quick storm ending Thursday
afternoon. Snow showers are looking to start for the Sierra and NE
CA Thursday morning around the time of the AM commute and a few
hours after for far western NV. Snow levels Thursday morning could
start off less than 5000', just enough to cause wet roads in lower
valleys, but most likely not enough to accumulate. Snow totals for
this event will be 3-4" along the Sierra, up to 2" west of the US-
395 in NE CA, and up to 1" across western NV.
The next round of snow and rain will be shortly after, starting
overnight into Friday and lasting through Saturday night. This
system will likely be warmer than Tuesday's storm but similar in
intensity. The dynamics of the storm look to be more favorable for
heavy mountain snow and valley rain. Current QPF totals for this
system are 3-5" along the Sierra, 1-2" in western NV valleys and NE
CA, and between 0.5-1" out in the Basin and Range. There is a signal
for additional Pacific moisture on the GFS/EC IVT plumes for this
storm that's becoming more well defined, with more waves of moisture
behind it.
Ensembles are indicating the High over the Eastern Pacific to remain
in place through the first part of next week, allowing shortwaves to
move onshore and reach the Sierra. Ensemble clusters are all in
agreement of some sort of troughing over the Pacific NW through
the end of next week. So in short, it's going to remain an active
pattern for at least the next 7-10 days. -Justin
&&
.AVIATION...
...A heightened threat continues for damaging surface winds and
severe low-level turbulence late Monday through Tuesday
afternoon...
A potent storm system will begin pushing into the area this
evening with increasing winds and precipitation chances through
the period. Upper level jet will increase to 130-170 knots across
the region, while southwest FL100 winds will push 65-80 knots.
This translates to Sierra ridge gusts of up to 110-125 knots.
Surface winds on the lee of the Sierra (RNO/MEV/CXP) in particular
will see surface gusts on the order of 50-60 knots. The most
favorable time for these strongest winds are 10Z-16Z Tuesday.
ACSL, rotors, strong LLWS, and severe turbulence are anticipated.
MVFR cigs/vsbys with -RA will impact western NV terminals along
the Sierra Front after 08Z. Most of the precipitations will hug
the higher terrain with mountain obscurations - but some showers
will spillover at times. At TRK/TVL, showers look to begin a
couple hours earlier, but prevailing MVFR/IFR conditions is likely
after 08-09Z with +RA at times.
-Dustin
&&
.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...High Wind Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 PM PST Tuesday
NVZ005.
High Wind Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST Tuesday
NVZ002.
Winter Storm Warning from 10 AM Tuesday to 10 AM PST Wednesday
NVZ002.
High Wind Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 PM PST Tuesday
NVZ001.
High Wind Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 PM PST Tuesday
NVZ003.
Wind Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 10 PM PST Tuesday
NVZ004.
CA...High Wind Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 PM PST Tuesday
CAZ070.
High Wind Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST Tuesday
CAZ071.
Winter Weather Advisory from 10 AM Tuesday to 10 AM PST
Wednesday above 5500 feet for CAZ071.
High Wind Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST Tuesday
CAZ072.
Winter Storm Warning from 10 AM Tuesday to 10 AM PST Wednesday
CAZ072.
High Wind Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST Tuesday
CAZ073.
Winter Storm Warning from 10 AM Tuesday to 10 AM PST Wednesday
CAZ073.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
5 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Mesonet station (TADC1-Tahoe Donner), located 4.0 mi WNW of Truckee, CA, reported a peak wind gust of 81 mph.
Mesonet station (LDRC1-Ladder Butte), located 17.0 mi S of Pittville, CA, reported a peak wind gust of 67 mph.
Mesonet station (565SE-SCE-3577), located 4.0 mi NNE of Twin Lakes, CA, reported a peak wind gust of 76 mph.
Mesonet station (DYLC1-DOYLE) located 3.0 mi N of Doyle, CA reported a peak gust of 62 mph.
Mesonet site (HVRTM) Blue Streak Weather station located 1.0 mi NNW of the Heavenly Ski Summit, CA reported a peak wind gust of 111 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in California, December 2022
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: 1071367, 1071362, 1071365, 1071371, 1071368.