textproduct: Elko

KEY MESSAGES

1237 PM PST Mon Feb 16 2026

* Strong southwest winds in Central Nevada today.

* A series of winter storm systems will continue to impact Northern and Central Nevada thru the week.

* Winter driving conditions will be present.

UPDATE

Issued at 1251 AM PST Tue Feb 17 2026

The current forecast remains on track and no significant changes were required at this time.

DISCUSSION

(This evening through next Sunday)

Series of upper level trofs will continue to bring strong winds, and snow across the state thru Friday. Strong southwest winds will again be present today with gusts 35 mph to 55 mph expected. A wind advisory remains in effect across central Nevada thru this evening. A winter weather advisory is also in effect thru Wednesday evening across the entire forecast area aside for southeast Elko County, including West Wendover. A winter storm warning is in effect for the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range. A brief lull in activity is expected this morning after sunrise as the frontal boundary and current round of snow continues to move east out of Nevada. That said, light snow showers will remain in the area.

The next upper level wave and attendant surface cold front will push into Nevada this afternoon from the west- northwest, exiting to the east around sunrise Wednesday morning. This wave looks to be the strongest wave, and colder than the first. However, snow is expected to transition to rain and/or rain snow mix later this afternoon across the lower elevation valleys with snow levels forecast to reside between 4000 feet and 4500 feet. Precipitation type will return to all snow this evening and remain so thru the week as the colder air mass associated with this system settles into northern and central Nevada. This second wave has trended a bit south over the last few model runs with central Nevada looking to pick up the most accumulation. Especially as the front strengthens along a southwest to northeast orientation as it progresses thru Nevada. White Pine County can expect the greatest snowfall accumulations.

No significant change in expected snowfall amounts between Monday and Wednesday from yesterdays forecast. Northern Nevada valleys are forecast to receive between 0.10 and 0.50 of water, of that 1 to 5 of snowfall. Northern Nevada passes are forecast to receive between 2 to 6 of snow, while mountains can expect up to 12 to 24 of snow. Central Nevada valleys are forecast to receive between 0.20 to 0.60 of water of which 2 to 6 of snow is expected to fall, US-50 passes are forecast to receive between 3 and 8 of snow with central Nevada mountains expected to see up to 12 to 24 of new snow.

After another brief lull a third upper trof looks to pass thru Nevada Thursday evening thru Friday. Current model forecast show this system to be drier, with overall QPF ranging between 0.05 and 0.35. Good news is this will be in the form of snow with an additional 1 to 3 for the valleys and 2 to 6 for the passes and range summits. For next weekend a shortwave ridge will serve to quiet things down, but models show the potential for a fourth upper level storm system moving in next Monday, bringing more chances for rain and snow for the west.

Temperatures trend much colder over the next 24 to 48 hours. Daytime highs today will be in the low 30s to low 40s with overnight lows in the mid single digits to mid teens. Both daytime highs and overnight lows will average around 10 degrees cooler than today and tonight for the remainder of the week. Warming trend looks to begin Saturday.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS:

There is high confidence for strong southwest winds today.

There is moderate confidence for low elevation rain, below 4000 to 4500 feet this afternoon, and high confidence that snow will be the prevailing precipitation type elsewhere.

There is moderate to high confidence of snow accumulation in the valleys of 1 to 5, passes 2 to 8, and mountains between 1 to 2 feet of snow by Wednesday evening.

There is moderate confidence for a third system bringing light snow showers Thursday into Friday.

AVIATION

Strong winds and snow showers will again be present across the area thru the next 24 hour period. South-southwesterly gusts this afternoon will reside around 25KT across all terminals aside from KTPH and KELY where gusts around 35KT are forecast. A brief lull in snow showers present this morning, though -SHSN will remain across much of the forecast area with low (25%) probability of a shower impacting any terminals. Next push of snow and low elevation (snow levels between 4000 and 4500 feet) rain moves in from the west- northwest this afternoon with precipitaion type trending to all snow early this evening. Impacts begin at KWMC around 21Z, reaching KELY around 07Z. Combinations of reduced visibility and low ceilings will produce periods of IFR and MVFR.

LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories

Winter Weather Advisory until 10 PM PST Wednesday NVZ030-031-035>041.

Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST Wednesday NVZ034.

Wind Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening NVZ035-037-040-041.