textproduct: Reno

KEY MESSAGES

* Periods of heavy Sierra snow, significant mountain travel disruptions, and gusty winds continue through this afternoon.

* Snow impacts may spread into western Nevada foothills by this morning.

* Dry weather returns this weekend into early next week with cold temperatures and gusty northeast winds along Sierra ridges.

DISCUSSION

As of this writing, we are getting a rain/snow mix at NWS Reno with a temperature of 35F. Due to the warmer temperatures we had yesterday, any snow this early morning will have trouble accumulating, primarily on roadways. With the latest forecast run, the best timing for snow in W NV valleys has shifted to 5-9 AM this morning. As such, we are extending the Winter Weather Advisory for the Reno-Carson City-Minden area until 10 AM. Foothill communities above 5500' have a 30% chance of seeing at least 2 inches of snow by this afternoon. If isolated bands of heavy precip line up just right, isolated locations above 5500' could see up to 6".

For our Sierra counterparts, heavy snow is expected to continue through much of today. The heaviest snow will wrap up by late morning but a final push of moisture will bring snow showers through the evening hours. To coincide with this, we are extending our Winter Storm Warning until 4 PM.

Winds will remain elevated through the afternoon hours, with widespread gusts up to 30-35 mph. Ridge wind gusts continue to range from up to 90 mph but will decrease to 60-80 mph by tonight. Looking into the weekend, gusty ridge winds will continue, but with gusts up to 50 mph.

A ridging pattern sets back up this weekend, allowing for cold nights and mild afternoons for the remainder of the forecast period. In the extended range, models hint at another system around New Years, bringing our typical cast of characters (gusty winds, mountain snow, and valley rain).

-Giralte

AVIATION

MVFR conditions with brief periods of IFR likely for Sierra Front terminals through much of today. IFR conditions will be associated with -RASN/-SN, with the most likely timeframe between 26/12Z - 26/18Z. For Sierra terminals, IFR/LIFR conditions likely through much of this morning before rising to MVFR by the late afternoon hours due to SN lightening up.

Chances for runway accumulations for KRNO/KCXP/KMEV have decreased with the latest model run (<10% chance of 0.5") due to warm roadways. KTVL/KMMH have the best chance (50%) for runway accumulations to exceed 6" with a 25% chance for KTRK by this afternoon.

Mountain obscurations and LLWS will impact all TAF sites through the period. Gusts up to 30 kts expected for Sierra Front terminals, with gusts up to 25 kts for Sierra terminals.

-Giralte

AVALANCHE

Impacts from heavy, wet snow and strong gusty winds expected across all avalanche center terrain through this evening. * SWE, SLRs, and Snow Levels: SWE totals up to 2.5" along the highest peaks, otherwise 1-2". SLRs will range from 9-11:1, though, those might rise to 12-13:1 by this afternoon as colder, drier air moves in. Snow levels will stay below 6000' across the entire Sierra.

* Snowfall Totals and Rates: At lake level, 8-15" of snow through tonight, with an additional 2-4 feet possible along the highest peaks of the Tahoe Basin. Totals will be locally lower for Mono county, with up to ~2 feet along the highest peaks and up to 10" along US-395. Snowfall rates of 1.5-2.5"/hr expected until about noon (up to 3"/hr near Mammoth this morning), after which rates drop below 1"/hr for the rest of the day.

* Ridgetop Gusts: WSW gusts up to 90 mph today, shifting more westerly with gusts up to 70 mph by this evening.

-Giralte

REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories

NV...Winter Storm Warning until 4 PM PST this afternoon NVZ002.

Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM PST this morning NVZ003.

CA...Winter Storm Warning until 4 PM PST this afternoon CAZ071>073.