Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in California, February 19, 2026

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
136 AM PST Thu Feb 19 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Another, quick moving storm brings additional snow and
  widespread travel impacts across the Sierra and portions of
  western Nevada through tonight.

* Dry conditions with mild temperatures and light winds prevail
  from Friday through at least Sunday.

* More winter weather arrives as early as Monday, with higher snow
  levels bringing potential flooding concerns for lower
  elevations.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

From current radar imagery we can determine a handful of things:
it continues to snow in the Sierra around the Tahoe Basin, light
showers continue to spread along the Sierra Front into the Basin
and Range, and more intense bands of snow can be seen populating
off of Lake Tahoe. Areas within these more intense snow bands can
expect locally higher snowfall totals and snowfall rates, but
we'll get into the details below.

The low pressure system continuing our winter weather this week
can be seen spinning off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. The
forecast continues to stay on track with 1-4" of snow on valley
floors and 3-6" for foothills above 5000'. Snowfall rates for
valleys will remain under 1"/hr but those more intense snow bands
could see rates over 1"/hr.

Snow showers will continue in the Sierra through much of today.
For details on snowfall totals, rates, and SLRs, please see the
Avalanche section below. Areas of NE CA are still on track to see
2-6" of snow, with up to 12" above 7000' and locally up to 18"
along the highest peaks through late tonight. Our friends out in
the Basin and Range also have the potential to get in on the snow
action today. That aforementioned low? There's two tracks that it
could take today; a handful of the hi-res models show the low
tracking along I-80 out past Winnemucca. However, the other half
want to drag the low south towards Tonopah. Depending on this
track, we could see additional snow in the Basin and Range, but
the question remains where. If it takes the I-80 track, we could
see a couple inches in Fernley/Fallon, possibly even down to
Yerington. If the low drops south, areas in Hawthorne and Smith
Valley could see a couple of inches, with increased snowfall in
Mono county as well.

Despite the uncertainty, what we are certain about is travel and
commute impacts across much of the area today. The AM commute will
be slick along the Sierra Front, especially over bridges, and not
just because of light snow showers overnight. Any remaining water
will have likely refrozen, creating icy conditions. The PM commute
may also experience impacts as the heaviest snowfall is expected
by midday. With temperatures plunging overnight after the snow
tapers off, be aware of slick and icy patches persisting into the
Friday morning commute as well. Remember, take it slow in snow!

Another pleasant weekend is in store as dry conditions settle back
in, bringing light winds and mild temperatures. Said conditions
will continue through at least Sunday. Model guidance hints at
another system arriving as early as Monday. While timing continues
to trend this system later and later (seems to be the trend of
this season in general), there's higher confidence on this being a
warmer system. This will allow for higher snow levels (currently
around or above 7000') and the risk for rain on snow, and the
corresponding flooding concerns, for valley locations. Stay tuned
for more concrete details over the weekend.

-Giralte

&&

.AVIATION...

LIFR/IFR conditions expected for Sierra terminals through 06Z
tonight due to additional SHSN with a 50% chance for 4+" of snow
for KTRK/KTVL by early evening (20% chance for KMMH). Sierra Front
terminals can expect MVFR/LIFR conditions due to -SHSN today, with
the heaviest snowfall expected around 18Z today. There's a 70%
chance for at least 1" of snow for KCXP/KMEV, with a 30% chance
for the same amount at KRNO by early evening. Showers will
decrease in intensity after sunset, wrapping up entirely by early
Friday.

Winds will be relatively light for Sierra Front terminals with
gusts up to 35 kts for Sierra terminals. LLWS continues for all
terminals through early evening.

-Giralte

&&

.AVALANCHE...

Another round of snow has arrived this early morning, continuing
through late tonight, and impacting all avalanche center terrain.

* Snowfall totals and rates: For SAC terrain, 6-12" with up to 18"
  along the crest and locally up to 24" west of Mt. Tallac. For
  BAC terrain, 8-18" of snow. For ESAC terrain, 4-6" along US-395
  with 10-14" along the crest, locally up to 18" in the Mammoth
  area. Snowfall rates of 1"/hr, with 1.5-2"/hr in the late
  morning through the early afternoon.

* SLRs and SWE: SLRs look to remain around 14-16:1 with this
  system while SWE ranges from 0.75-1.25", coming up a bit from
  the previous forecast. Expect locally lower for BAC terrain,
  with SWE of 0.75-1".

* Ridgetop gusts: Southwest winds of 50-60 mph with localized
  gusts up to 70 mph.

-Giralte
&&

.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Winter Weather Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening NVZ002-003.

CA...Winter Weather Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening CAZ071>073.

&&