This first in a trio of storm systems began to impact the Sierra the night of the 11th, and continued through the morning of the 12th. Although not a major storm system, it produced travel impacts due to periods of moderate to heavy snowfall as it delivered a quick shot of snowfall across the Sierra with snow levels hanging in the 4000-5000 feet range.
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 REV wrote it up.
This first in a trio of storm systems began to impact the Sierra the night of the 11th, and continued through the morning of the 12th. Although not a major storm system, it produced travel impacts due to periods of moderate to heavy snowfall as it delivered a quick shot of snowfall across the Sierra with snow levels hanging in the 4000-5000 feet range. Accumulations of 8-10 inches on Sierra passes complemented a 4-6 hour window with snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour before tapering off by mid-morning on the 12th.
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 12, 1:09 AM PST, 1 hour 11 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Reno NV 109 AM PST Thu Dec 12 2024 .SYNOPSIS... * Snow tapers off in intensity across the Sierra by late morning. Light morning snow showers possible for W.Nevada valleys with minor accumulations possible for foothill areas. * Wetter, warmer, and windier storm for Saturday, with mountain travel impacts from snow likely into the nighttime hours. Light rain and snow showers Friday and Sunday. * Possible third storm in the sequence late Monday into Tuesday but mixed confidence on snow vs rain vs wind impacts. && .DISCUSSION... The first in a trio of storm systems will begin to impact the Sierra tonight into Thursday morning. While not major storm systems, they are expected to produce travel impacts with each subsequent wave due to periods of moderate to heavy snowfall at times on the passes through early next week. Storm 1 (Tonight-Thursday): * This system is expected to deliver a quick shot of snowfall across the Sierra with snow levels hanging in the 4000-5000' range. Accumulations of 8-10" on Sierra passes concentrated in a 4-6 hour window with snowfall rates of 1"/hour possible before tapering down by mid-morning. * Western Nevada valleys could wake up to light snow showers for the morning commute with wet and slick roadways. Snow accumulations for foothill areas above 5000' could see a dusting of snow with 20-40% odds of seeing 0.1-0.2" of snow for western foothills, Washoe Valley, and Virginia City. Storm 2 (Friday-Saturday): * Warmer and wetter storm with likely travel impacts for trans- Sierra travel. The latest trends indicate the incoming trough is elongating south, resulting in the highest precipitation totals concentrating along the crest and western Sierra slopes. This shift may lead to weaker spillover into W.Nevada. * While light snow showers are possible across the Sierra Friday afternoon, the period of heaviest snow for Sierra passes is expected on Saturday where accumulations of 15-20" are possible through the evening. Be sure to adjust your travel plans accordingly. Higher uncertainty with snow totals for lower elevation Sierra communities but currently projecting 3-6". * The trend of enhanced shadowing could favor stronger winds across the E.Sierra into W.Nevada valleys on Saturday. Overall, we are seeing 60% odds of gusts above 50 mph. Storm 3 (Monday): * After a lull in the action on Sunday, a third wave of moisture looks to push through the region on Monday into early Tuesday morning. This storm is looking similar to our system on Thursday with a quick hit of Sierra snowfall with lower snow levels than the system over the weekend. Fuentes && .AVIATION... * Periods of VFR/MVFR conditions in snow showers this morning with 1-2" of snowfall possible for Sierra terminals. Light snow showers with a dusting of snowfall possible for KRNO and 20-40% chance of 0.1-0.2" of snow for KRTS, KCXP, and KMEV. * Mountain top obscuration and mountain wave turbulence will continue along and east of the Sierra with FL100 southwest wind gusts of 50-70kt possible this afternoon and evening. * Active weather continues into the weekend with a secondary storm system expected to yield another round of Sierra snowfall with stronger winds across western Nevada on Saturday. Fuentes && .REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NV...Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST Thursday NVZ002. CA...Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST Thursday CAZ071>073. &&
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A mesonet station (Slide) located 1.0 mi ESE of Mount Rose Summit, NV, reported a peak wind gust of 69 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nevada in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, December 2024
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: 1229652.