Atmospheric stability above the Ruby Mountains overnight produced a mountain downslope effect into the Ruby Valley that created strong gusty winds.
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 LKN wrote it up.
Atmospheric stability above the Ruby Mountains overnight produced a mountain downslope effect into the Ruby Valley that created strong gusty winds.
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 Jan 9, 12:01 AM PST, 2 hours 2 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion...Updated National Weather Service Elko NV 1201 AM PST Fri Jan 9 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1201 AM PST Fri Jan 9 2026 * Quiet weather returns as persistent high pressure builds into the area by this weekend. && .UPDATE...Issued at 1201 AM PST Fri Jan 9 2026 Current forecast remains on track at this time and no changes have been made. && .DISCUSSION... (Today through Thursday) WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW: A Rex Block will strengthen along the southern California coast. This is shaping up to be a very persistent, stubborn pattern as the block and associated ridging are forecast to persist through at least mid next week. Local impacts will be characterized by dry conditions and warming temperatures. High temperatures across the area are expected to be around ten degrees above normal by Monday and there are some initial signs of near or record high temperatures by the end of next week. Winds are also expected to remain light while the block persists. FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS: There is high confidence in Rex Block development and persistence through next week and the associated warming temperatures and lack of precipitation. && .AVIATION... VFR conditions are forecast to be the primary flight conditions. High pressure builds in today with clearing skies and lighter winds. && .LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories... None. && DISCUSSION...94 AVIATION...98
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Elko NV
837 PM PST Thu Jan 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 AM Snow 1 N Laurel Draw Snotel 41.79N 116.03W
01/08/2026 M7.0 Inch Elko NV Mesonet
Laurel Draw SNOTEL (LADN2). Elevation 6681
feet.
&&
92Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Elko NV
839 PM PST Thu Jan 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 AM Snow Merritt Mountain Snotel 41.90N 115.86W
01/08/2026 M6.0 Inch Elko NV Mesonet
Merritt Mountain SNOTEL (MERN2). Elevation
6907 feet.
&&
92Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Elko NV
842 PM PST Thu Jan 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 AM Snow O'neil Creek Snotel 41.87N 115.08W
01/08/2026 M7.0 Inch Elko NV Mesonet
Oneil Creek SNOTEL (ONLN2). Elevation 6520
feet.
&&
92Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Elko NV
843 PM PST Thu Jan 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0300 AM Snow 9 W O'neil Creek Snotel 41.88N 115.25W
01/08/2026 M8.0 Inch Elko NV Mesonet
Pole Creek SNOTEL (PRSN2). Elevation 8330
feet.
&&
92Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Elko NV
845 PM PST Thu Jan 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0300 AM Snow SeventySix Creek Snotel 41.74N 115.47W
01/08/2026 M6.0 Inch Elko NV Mesonet
Seventy Six Creek SNOTEL (SSCN2). Elevation
7349 feet.
&&
92Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Elko NV
846 PM PST Thu Jan 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0300 PM Snow Lamoille Upper Snotel 40.60N 115.38W
01/08/2026 M15.0 Inch Elko NV Mesonet
Lamoille Upper SNOTEL (LCUN2). Elevation
8993 feet.
&&
92The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Station (RBVN2) Ruby Valley, Elevation 6891 ft.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nevada in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, January 2026
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: 1304855.