A colder low pressure moved slowly across the region from the 25th-27th, dropping daytime temperatures to 10-15 degrees below average. Patchy light rain showers developed across much of the region on the 25th, with isolated thunderstorms over west central NV.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 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.
A colder low pressure moved slowly across the region from the 25th-27th, dropping daytime temperatures to 10-15 degrees below average. Patchy light rain showers developed across much of the region on the 25th, with isolated thunderstorms over west central NV. More widespread rain and snow developed during the late night of the 25th into the 26th, and again the following night, bringing late season snow for the Sierra and a rain-snow mix down to lower elevations of western NV. Snowfall amounts ranged from 2-7 for the Tahoe basin and into northern Mono County, while in western NV up to 2 of snow fell (mainly on unpaved surfaces) around the main cities of far western NV, and up to 4 in Virginia City. An additional 1-5 of snow fell in the Tahoe basin with up to 8 in higher elevations during the late night of the 26th into the morning of the 27th (Photos 4 to 6). Rainfall was heaviest across far northeast CA and northwest NV, with several sites receiving between 0.50 and 1 inch, and up to 1.25 inch in parts of the Surprise Valley.
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 Apr 25, 12:13 PM PST, 5 hours 47 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
113 PM PDT Fri Apr 25 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
* A late season storm is bringing mountain snow, valley rain,
thunderstorms, gusty winds, and much cooler weather today and
lasts through the weekend.
* Prepare for occasional travel disruptions in and across the
Sierra, as well as mountain passes in Mineral and Southern Lyon
counties.
* Warmer and drier weather prevails early next week with chances of
showers and storms returning by midweek.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
A low-pressure center is making it's way toward the California
coast, where it is expected to drop a bit south before it crosses
the Sierra. The colder air, light showers and grey skies this
morning were a preview of this storm, which will be around the area
through Sunday evening. Let's take a look at some storm specifics...
* PRECIPITATION: Snow levels will trend lower through the day, as
this cool damp airmass settles in. Look for snow levels to drop to
5,000 to 6,000 feet this evening, and remain there until around
Sunday afternoon, when they finally climb above 6,000 feet. As
such, a reinforcing shot of Sierra snow is developing, with the
bulk of the snow arriving for Saturday. Below the snow lines, any
snow or mix that accumulates on the ground will melt/dry off
rather quickly due to recent warmth and high sun angle. Above the
snow lines, today's accumulations will be limited. Area passes may
see up to 1 inch, while peaks such as Mt. Rose could grab an
additional 2-3 inches. For Saturday, a 10 to 20% chance for an
embedded lightning strike accompanies a 15 to 30% chance for
showers. Snow levels will determine the precipitation type, so
below 5000 feet, rain. Above 5000 feet, we could see snow amounts
of up to a foot on the highest peaks, while Sierra passes could
gather another 4 to 6 inches. Then Sunday, we could see an
additional 2 to 3 inches on passes. Mountain tops such as Mt.Rose
could add 2 to 4 inches on Sunday, since the bulk of the energy
will be working eastward throughout Sunday afternoon and evening.
* WINDS: Mostly westerly with a nudge toward northwesterly winds
Saturday and Sunday, with ridge gusts only around 20-25 mph for
afternoons. Sunday looks a bit breezier, with ridge gusts
approaching 30 mph across northwestern Nevada. Areas seeing
precipitation this weekend will likely stay under light winds,
with the exception being in the vicinity of any storm that
develops, where gusty outflows may create a brief gusty period.
Beyond the weekend, we start a steady warming trend with the new
week. Temperatures across the area will climb to 70s and 80s for
western Nevada valleys, while Sierra locations will see 60s. A
showery pattern emerges at the end of April/ beginning of May. HRICH
&&
.AVIATION...
* A late season winter storm will spread lower elevation rain and
higher elevation snow across the region this weekend, with peak
rates tonight into Saturday morning. Most terminals will see
periods of rain/snow throughout the weekend, with a 10-20% chance
for afternoon thunderstorms. Widespread terrain obscuration due to
lowering ceilings should be anticipated.
* While KRNO/KCXP/KMEV will remain rain, snow levels will fall
tonight with snow anticipated at KTRK/KTVL/KMMH. However, the
chances for accumulation will depend on time of day and rate, with
tonight being the most likely chance (60%) for slushy accumulation
of up to a couple inches.
* Generally, winds won't be a major concern with peak gusts from the
W/SW of 20-25 kts each afternoon and lighter terrain driven winds
overnight. If thunderstorms do develop, gusty and erratic winds up
to 35 kts are possible. -Dawn
&&
.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Winter Weather Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 11 AM PDT
Sunday NVZ001-002.
CA...Winter Weather Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 11 AM PDT
Sunday CAZ072-073.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Mt Rose Ski Area reported a storm total of 11-15 inches.
A trained spotter in Virginia City reported 4 inches of snow on unpaved surfaces with mainly wet roads. A CoCoRaHS observer in Carson City (NV-CC-9) reported 1.8 inches of snow, with a CO-OP observer in Minden reporting 1.5 inches of new snow.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nevada in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, April 2025
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: 1244446, 1244449.