Nevada, 2024

Heavy Snow and High Wind in Nevada, February 26 to 27, 2024

February 26 to 27, 2024 · NWS LKN · 7 events in 5 counties and zones

An upper level low with an associated cold front produced periods of heavy snow and gusty winds across both northern and central Nevada.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 7 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
7

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 LKN wrote it up.

An upper level low with an associated cold front produced periods of heavy snow and gusty winds across both northern and central Nevada.

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 Elko, NV wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 26, 7:38 AM PST, 2 hours 22 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 26, 7:38 AM PST, 2 hours 22 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Elko NV
738 AM PST Mon Feb 26 2024

.SYNOPSIS...An incoming low pressure system will impact northern
and central Nevada today into Tuesday, bringing precipitation and
strong gusty winds. Dry conditions expected midweek before
another round of precipitation and winds arrive Friday through the
weekend.

&&

.UPDATE...Refreshed grids for the morning hours to account for
current trends. No other updates planned.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 403 AM PST Mon Feb 26 2024/

SHORT TERM...Today through Tuesday night.

A strong low pressure system with an attendant cold front is
approaching from the Pacific Northwest. The cold front is expected
to move into the forecast area today, spreading rain/snow mix and
snow across northern and central Nevada. Light valley rain and
mountain snow will be present across the state with snow levels
starting above 6500 feet. Snowfall amounts of 5-10 inches above
6500 feet and 1-4 inches below 6500 feet are expected across
Northern Elko County. The Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range
could see 12-20 inches of snow. Strong winds with gusts as high
as 60-70 mph will be situated at the higher elevations and
mountain peaks, leading to blowing/drifting snow and reduced
visibility.

Snow levels are expected to drop quickly to valley floors this
evening, allowing some light snow accumulation to occur. The
valley floors for the rest of northern NV and central Nevada are
forecast to receive 2-4 inches. West- southwest winds of 30-40 mph
with gusts up to 60 mph expected across Humboldt, Northern
Lander, and Northern Eureka Counties. Multiple winter weather and
wind headlines have been issued for this significant weather
event.

The storm system exits the forecast region late tonight, but some
lingering snow showers may exist early Tuesday morning in valleys
of Elko, Eureka, and White Pine Counties. Otherwise, dry
conditions for the rest of the day Tuesday along with breezy
northwest winds across the state. Highs today will lower into the
30s to 40s in northern NV and 40s to 50s in central NV. In the
wake of the cold front, highs Tuesday afternoon will be in the
upper 20s to mid 30s. A dry, northwest flow will bring overnight
temperatures into the teens to single digits under mostly clear
skies.

LONG TERM...Wednesday through Next Monday.

Wednesday, a brief break in active weather is forecasted under
zonal flow. This will allow for light winds, dry condtions and
highs in the 40s to low 50s.

The next incoming system will start to impact Nevada Thursday,
with the leading edge of a long-wave trough starting to move into
the area. The leading edge of this system will see strong
southwest winds move into the state during the day. Strongest
winds look to be across HUmboldt, Lander and Northern Elko
counties with 25-30 mph winds and gusts to 45-50 mph. Winnemucca
Airport currently has a 68% chance of seeing wind gusts to 45 mph.
As far as precipitation is concerned, a mix of rain and snow
showers are possible Thursday, with light snow amounts towards the
state boarder. Lows Thursday night dip into the 30s for most.
Friday, Highs are forecasted in the 40s and 50s for most.

An embedded shortwave on Friday will bring a mix or rain and snow
showers as snow levels look to remain elevated through the day.
Winds will be breezy, but lighter than Thursday. As snow levels
lower late Friday evening, snow showers will spread across much of
the area. Mountains will pick up around a foot of snow with
valleys generally seeing 1-3 inches heading overnight into
Saturday. Lows are forecasted in the upper 20s to lower 30s.

Saturday the trough axis is forecasted to be over the state,
extending into central and southern Nevada. The trough axis over
the state allows for the coldest air and most persistent
precipitation to occur over the area. Winds will be elevated
across White Pine county, where Ely airport currently has a 86%
chance of seeing winds gusting to 45 mph during the afternoon.
Snow levels will be below 4500 feet for the entirety of the day.
Highs are forecasted in the upper 30s to lower 40s. Snowfall
Saturday could be significant for both valleys and mountains
across the I-80, US-93, US-50 and US-6 corridors. QPF (liquid)
could range from 0.30"-0.50" in some valley locations. With snow
levels below 4500 feet for the day, snowfall may add up. Lows
Saturday night may be chilly in the single digits to low teens for
most.

Sunday, the trough begins to shift east and move out of the area.
There will still be some lingering snow showers across the state,
but only minor accumulations (under a half an inch) expected at
this time in valleys. Highs are forecasted in the upper 20s to
lower 30s for most.

Monday, a brief ridge builds in leading to quiet and dry
condtions. Highs likely in the 30s and 40s.

AVIATION...Southwesterly winds become gusty this morning, then
strengthen through the afternoon hours. Rain showers will be hit
and miss at KWMC, KBAM, and KEKO in the early afternoon hours,
with -SHRA expected at all TAF sites (except KTPH) by the
late afternoon. The cold front associated with the approaching
storm will drop through the northern NV and into central NV this
evening, at which time rain showers will transition over to snow.
VFR conditions are expected through this afternoon with the rain,
however IFR or lower conditions are likely this evening as snow
showers develop. Winds diminish post-frontal this evening, with
snow showers tapering off overnight.

&&

.LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
High Wind Warning until 7 PM PST this evening Humboldt County...
Northern Lander County and Northern Eureka County.

Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST this evening Northern Elko
County.

Wind Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening Southeastern Elko
County.

Blizzard Warning until 4 AM PST Tuesday Ruby Mountains and East
Humboldt Range.

Winter Weather Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 1 AM PST
Tuesday Southern Lander County and Southern Eureka County...
White Pine County.

Wind Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening Southern Lander
County and Southern Eureka County.

Winter Weather Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening South
Central Elko County...Southwest Elko County.

Wind Advisory until 1 AM PST Tuesday Northwestern Nye County.

&&

97/99

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. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, N Elko Cnty

When
February 26, 10:00 AM PST to February 27, 10:00 AM PST
Where
N Elko Cnty forecast zone
Reported by
SNOTEL
Coordinates
41.146, -115.358 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ten inches fell at site (BERN2) Bear Creek Snotel, Elevation 8040 feet. This occurred between 1400 on 2/26 and 0200 on 2/27.

Nine inches fell at site (JCUN2) Jack Creek Upper Snotel, Elevation 7376 feet. This occurred between 1300 on 2/26 and 0700 on 2/27.

Nine inches fell at site (PRSN2) Pole Creek RS Snotel, Elevation 8330 feet. This occurred between 1300 on 2/26 and 2100 on 2/26.

Seven inches fell at site (MDSN2) Midas Snotel, Elevation 6634 feet. This occurred between 1200 on 2/26 and 0000 on 2/27.

Six inches fell at site (JAKN2) Jakes Creek Snotel, Elevation 7373 feet. This occurred between 1400 on 2/26 and 1900 on 2/26.

Seven inches fell at site (ONLN2) O'neil Creek Snotel, Elevation 6520 feet. This occurred between 1400 on 2/26 and 1800 on 2/26.

Seven inches fell at site (JAPN2) Jacks Peak Snotel, Elevation 8422 feet. This occurred between 1700 on 2/26 and 0300 on 2/27.

Heavy Snow, Humboldt

When
February 26, 10:00 AM PST to February 27, 10:00 AM PST
Where
Humboldt forecast zone
Reported by
SNOTEL
Coordinates
41.407, -118.112 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Six inches fell at site (GRPN2) Granite Peak Snotel, Elevation 8501 feet. This occurred between 1100 on 2/26 and 1900 on 2/26.

Six inches fell at site (GLCN2) Golconda Snotel, Elevation 6615 feet. This occurred between 1200 on 2/26 and 2200 on 2/26.

Heavy Snow, Ruby Mountains/E Humboldt Range

When
February 26, 10:00 AM PST to February 27, 1:00 PM PST
Where
Ruby Mountains/E Humboldt Range forecast zone
Reported by
SNOTEL
Coordinates
40.294, -115.130 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sixteen inches fell at site (HIMN2) Hole-In-Mountain Snotel, Elevation 8161 feet. This occurred between 1400 on 2/26 and 1300 on 2/27.

Ten inches fell at site (LMLN2) Lamoille #3 Snotel, Elevation 8050 feet. This occurred between 1100 on 2/26 and 0300 on 2/27.

High Wind, Southwestern Elko

When
February 26, 1:56 PM PST to 2:56 PM PST
Where
Southwestern Elko forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
41.146, -115.358 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Station (KEKO) Elko Regional Airport, Elevation 5052 feet.

High Wind, Ruby Mountains/E Humboldt Range

When
February 26, 2:03 PM PST to 3:03 PM PST
Where
Ruby Mountains/E Humboldt Range forecast zone
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by
RAWS
Coordinates
40.294, -115.130 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Station (RBVN2) Ruby Valley Raws, Elevation 6900 feet.

High Wind, N Elko Cnty

When
February 26, 2:41 PM PST to 3:41 PM PST
Where
N Elko Cnty forecast zone
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by
RAWS
Coordinates
41.146, -115.358 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Station (POCN2) Pole Creek Raws, Elevation 8502 feet.

High Wind, Southeastern Elko

When
February 26, 2:55 PM PST to 3:55 PM PST
Where
Southeastern Elko forecast zone
Measured
40 kt (46 mph) measured sustained
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
41.146, -115.358 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Station (UP994) Ola Union Pacific Railroad (UPR), Elevation 4408 feet.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Nevada in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, February 2024

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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1155009, 1155011, 1155012, 1164813, 1164812, 1164808, 1164811.