Heavy Snow and High Wind in Nevada, February 12 to 15, 2023

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Elko NV
330 PM PST Sun Feb 12 2023

.SYNOPSIS...Dry and quiet weather continues through tomorrow
afternoon, but a cold front follows with gusty winds and some
snow showers through Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Significant impacts aren't expected but there may be periods of
blowing snow and patchy ice on roadways as this front moves
through, so travelers should use caution.

&&

.SHORT TERM...Tonight through Wednesday morning

Dry and quiet conditions continue through tonight, with overnight
lows mainly in the teens and 20s. An approaching cold front causes
winds to become gusty first in Humboldt county in the afternoon
before spreading across the rest of the CWA as we head into the
evening. These winds are expected to remain on the stronger side
of things through Wednesday morning. Before the leading edge of
the front arrives, afternoon highs reach the 30s and some low 40s.

Light snow showers arrive Monday night to northern Nevada first,
and push through the area on a southeastward track on Tuesday.
Any valleys that see snowfall accumulations are expected to see
less than an inch. The higher valleys in northern Elko county can
expect snowfall ranging from 1 to almost 3 inches, with highest
elevations in the mountains pushing closer to 6 inches. Main
shower activity diminishes Tuesday night, but one or two light
lingering showers could pull through until Monday morning.

Overall, this system should be more of a nuisance and less of a
significant event, but the combination of snowfall and strong
winds means that periods of blowing snow are possible. Cold
overnight lows could help with the formation of some slick spots
that may impact morning commutes. Anyone traveling while this
cold front moves through should use caution.

.LONG TERM...Wednesday through Saturday.

A considerably cold air mass will be in place of the exiting low
pressure trough with highs Wednesday in the 20s for much of the
area. Thursday morning is still expected to be the coldest of the
next several days with temperatures hovering a few degrees from 0.
Below zero lows are most likely across Elko county and in valleys
that received locally higher snowfall and calm winds.

High pressure ridge quickly builds over the region for the latter
part of the week resulting in gradually increasing, but still
cold, temperatures through the weekend. A subsidence inversion
associated with the ridge will provide a set up for valley morning
fog. However, expected winds should be high enough to inhibit
widespread fog formation later this week. Overall temperatures
will be back into the 30s and 40s for highs across the area by
Sunday in time for potentially more active weather returning to
the region early next week.

&&

.AVIATION...VFR conditions are expected at all terminals through
tonight. Primary issue will continue to be breezy north winds at
KTPH through tonight. Significant changes are expected Monday into
Monday night as a very strong cold front begins to move through
northwest Nevada bringing snow showers, reduced VIS, lowering CIGs
and strong northwest winds of 20-30 knots with gusts around 40
knots mainly after 00Z. MVFR to occasional IFR conditions are
expected Monday night into Tuesday when the more widespread snow
moves through the state. Conditions will improve During the day
Tuesday and especially Tuesday night.

AMD NOT SKED for KWMC until further notice.

&&

.LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
Wind Advisory from 1 PM Monday to 4 AM PST Tuesday Humboldt
County.

Wind Advisory from 7 PM Monday to 7 PM PST Tuesday Northern Elko
County...South Central Elko County...Southeastern Elko County.

Wind Advisory from 6 AM Tuesday to 1 AM PST Wednesday
Northeastern Nye County...Northwestern Nye County.

&&

84/93/93