This winter storm came in a two-stage fashion, first as Pacific moisture is pulled into the Sierra, spreading into western Nevada as rain, and the second piece being a colder shortwave trough. The first portion had snow levels around 5500-6500 feet, with the second piece dropping snow levels to all valley floors.
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 winter storm came in a two-stage fashion, first as Pacific moisture is pulled into the Sierra, spreading into western Nevada as rain, and the second piece being a colder shortwave trough. The first portion had snow levels around 5500-6500 feet, with the second piece dropping snow levels to all valley floors.
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 Mar 5, 2:08 AM PST, 7 hours 52 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
208 AM PST Wed Mar 5 2025
.SYNOPSIS...
* A moderate winter storm will bring snow to the Sierra through
Thursday evening. Potential for light accumulations down to
western Nevada valley floors Thursday morning through evening.
* Chilly conditions return today through Thursday with brisk
northwest winds increasing on Thursday.
* Drier weather returns Friday, with a brief warming trend into
the weekend. However, more storms are likely next week, with a
stronger storm possible next Wednesday and Thursday.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
The next storm is on our doorstep with a surge of moisture rapidly
approaching the central Sierra. The onset of snow for the Sierra
looks to arrive by daybreak, with rain and snow quickly spreading
across northeast CA-western NV during the day today. Snow levels
still look to range from 5500-6000 feet for most areas (except
near 7000 feet in Mono County), although snow could mix in with
the rain down to 5000 feet at times. All winter weather advisories
remain intact as the most widespread precip bands favor the
eastern Sierra and west central NV from today through this
evening. Outside the advisory, lesser snowfall amounts up to
around 1" could occur in foothill locations across northwest/far
western NV including Virginia City from mid-morning through early
this evening. Otherwise, wetting rainfall for most lower
elevations is a good bet with blended guidance showing a 30-60%
probability of at least 0.25" liquid precip, while parts of west
central NV have up to 30% probability of at least 0.50" through
late this evening.
For tonight through Thursday, colder air filtering in from the
north will drop snow levels down to most valley floors. The
steady precip will transition to a more showery nature with
decreased coverage, although current guidance appears to hint at
convection in north central CA spreading more persistent snow
bands late tonight into Thursday morning over northeast CA, as a
secondary upper low drops southward across northern-central CA.
Instability associated with a colder air aloft will lead to
renewed snow shower development Thursday afternoon for the Sierra
and parts of western NV, with a few lightning flashes or strikes
also possible. While snow accumulations in lower elevations will
be limited during the day Thursday due to higher March sun angles,
higher resolution guidance shows a potential for a more organized
area of snow marching from north to south across the I-80 and
US-50 corridors during the Thursday PM commute which may produce
slick roads for the main urban areas. Even after the snow winds
down by late Thursday night, icy patches could linger overnight as
surface temperatures drop below freezing.
Although this storm isn't expected to produce unusually strong
winds, there will still be periods of ridge top gusts up to 55
mph in the Sierra today through Thursday. For lower elevations,
chilly northwest winds are likely to increase on Thursday across
much of western NV, producing gusts up to 35 mph.
After this storm departs, Friday through Sunday will provide a
break in storm activity, with a modest warming trend bringing
highs back to the 50s-near 60 in western Nevada valleys by
Sunday. This will allow some time to prepare for a more active
storm pattern next week, which could produce significant impacts
even for lower elevations.
While details still remain to be sorted out, the general idea
indicates a modest-moderate strength storm with periods of Sierra
snow and a rain-snow mix for lower elevations Monday into
Tuesday. Then attention turns to a potentially more intense storm
around the Wednesday-Thursday time frame. A growing number of
ensemble guidance members are presenting a classic winter storm
scenario which could produce the full array of snow and wind
hazards not only for the Sierra, but even down to western NV
valleys. Stay tuned and consider some alternate travel plans if
possible, that avoids being on the roads mid-late next week. MJD
&&
.AVIATION...
Summary: Expect moderate operational impacts in the Sierra and low
to moderate impacts across western Nevada today through Thursday
as a winter storm moves through the region.
Flight Categories:
* Sierra Terminals: IFR/LIFR conditions could persist through
Thursday due to bands of light to moderate snow moving through
the region, lowering visibility to 1SM or less that bring
approach impacts. There is a 50-70% chance for 1-3" of
accumulated snow on runway pavements overnight into Thurs.
* Western Nevada Terminals: Look for periodic MVFR continuing
tonight. IFR conditions are possible Thursday morning if snow
develops at lower elevations. Also be advised of widespread
terrain obscurations continuing as ceilings lower below ridge
level through Thursday.
Winds:
* Surface winds will increase from the SSW, with gusts reaching up
to 20 knots for most terminals. KMMH will be the exception with
gusts reaching to 25 knots this afternoon and evening. These
winds will shift to northwest after 18Z Thurs. Winds at FL100 of
over 30 knots from the SW will shift more NNW Thursday night
after 06Z.
* These conditions will lead to periods of mountain wave turbulence
and wind shear concerns along and east of the Sierra crest into
western Nevada.
Looking Ahead: A break in the active weather pattern is expected
Friday into early Sunday, with more storms likely starting early
next week. -Amanda
&&
.AVALANCHE...
A winter storm will bring snowfall, increased winds, and rapidly
changing conditions to the Sierra and White Mountains today
through Thursday evening, creating challenging conditions for
backcountry recreation.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE)/Snow Amounts:
* About 0.75-1.0" SWE today-tonight, then up to 0.25 inch
Thursday. Snowfall amounts 6-12 inches with locally up to 16
inches.
Snow-Liquid Ratios and Snowfall Rates:
* Snow begins with moderate moisture content today-this evening
(10-13:1 ratios), then becoming drier overnight into Thursday
(13-16:1 ratios).
* Snowfall rates of up to 1"/hour today-tonight, with brief bursts
up to 1-1.5"/hour Thursday.
Ridge Top Winds:
* Southwest-west 20-35 mph, with gusts of 45-55 mph. Winds shift
to northeast Thursday night after the snow ceases.
MJD
&&
.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Winter Weather Advisory from 4 AM Wednesday to 10 PM PST
Thursday NVZ002.
Winter Weather Advisory from 7 AM Wednesday to 4 PM PST Thursday
NVZ001-004.
CA...Winter Weather Advisory from 4 AM Wednesday to 4 PM PST Thursday
CAZ071.
Winter Weather Advisory from 4 AM Wednesday to 10 PM PST
Thursday CAZ072-073.
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Mt Rose Ski Area Base and Diamond Peak Ski Area Base reported 10 and 11 inches of snow, respectively between March 5-7.
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, March 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: 1242599.