A dynamic system created unstable atmospheric conditions leading to an enhanced area of locally heavy thundersnow.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 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 dynamic system created unstable atmospheric conditions leading to an enhanced area of locally heavy thundersnow.
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 May 11, 2:38 AM PST, 7 hours 22 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Elko NV 338 AM PDT Wed May 11 2022 .SYNOPSIS...Cool again today, with scattered showers, isolated thunderstorms, and gusty winds. Drier on Thursday with temperatures trending warmer through the weekend. && .SHORT TERM...Today through Thursday. Trough energy centers over NV today, resulting in well below normal temperatures as most valley locations only warm into the upper 40s to mid 50s. Snow shower activity lingers across much of northern and central NV through this evening, though not expecting any impactful accumulations in valley areas. Mountains could see a couple to a few inches of new snow by this evening. Can not rule out isolated thunderstorm activity this afternoon, mainly over central and NE portions of the CWA. With the exception of east-central NV, gusty northerly winds are expected today. Across east-central NV, generally White Pine County, southwesterly winds are expected today, with gusty conditions over and near Great Basin National Park. Trough energy exits NV into Utah tonight with showers ending over most of northern and central NV, the possible exception will be mountains of northern Humboldt and Elko Counties where a few more showers will be possible into Thursday. Temperatures also begin to trend warmer on Thursday, with afternoon highs in the 60s. .LONG TERM...Friday through next Wednesday. All long term models are showing a west to east flow developing across northern and central Nevada beginning Friday with rising heights and southwest flow developing through the weekend. What this will mean is increasing confidence in a warming trend for the upcoming weekend. For Friday, highs will be in the 60s and 70s but will warm a few degrees each day. On Saturday, look for readings in the 70s and 80s with even warmer temperatures on Sunday, reaching the lower to mid 80s. Low temperatures will rise accordingly from the lower 30s to the 40s and even lower 50s farther south over the weekend. Moisture across the northern tier of the state could make a comeback early next week but no guarantee with low probability of measurable rain. Overall a drier and warmer than normal forecast is expected heading into next week. && .AVIATION...Isolated to scattered rain and snow showers are expected through this evening in KWMC, KBAM and KEKO. These could cause a period of MVFR conditions. Southerly winds ranging from 20 to 30 kts are expected in KELY through late afternoon before a wind shift from the northwest brings showers. Northwest wind gusts through the day at KTPH ranging from 25 to 35 kts are expected. && .FIRE WEATHER...Cool again today, with scattered showers, isolated thunderstorms, and gusty winds. Showers end in most zones this evening and all zones by Thursday afternoon. Dry conditions are expected Thursday evening through the weekend with temperatures trending warmer. && .LKN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && 96/86/89/96
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Eight inches fell at station (ASTN2), Elevation 6780 feet. Thundersnow was produced.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nevada in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, May 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: 1013686.