textproduct: Reno

KEY MESSAGES

* Major Winter Storm is Here: The first period of heavy snowfall continues through this evening with the next round Tuesday. Feet of snow expected across the Sierra with widespread travel disruptions expected through Wednesday. Another quick moving storm is increasing snow changes for Thursday at all elevations.

* Strong Winds and Blowing Snow: Tuesday's storm will be colder with lighter, fluffier snow as snow levels crash to all valley floors. This, combined with strong Sierra wind gusts up to 50 mph (100+mph at crest), will cause blowing snow and periods of whiteout conditions.

* Foothill, Valley Floor Snow impacts: Snow is most likely in Western Nevada foothills areas above 5500 feet today, with rain/snow mix at times for valleys. For Tuesday, gusty winds with increasing snow during the day, with greatest snow impacts (40-80% of at least 4") for the Tuesday PM/Wednesday AM commutes.

AVIATION

* For Sierra terminals, widespread aviation impacts through Wednesday morning. Plan on prolonged periods of IFR/LIFR conditions, particularly on Tuesday, with significant snow accumulations on runways and gusty-strong winds producing widespread turbulence and shear. * Western Nevada terminals will see mainly rain through this afternoon with MVFR/brief IFR conditions. Snow could mix in with the rain at times through the evening, with less than 10% chance for 1" of snow accumulation. Winds and LLWS increase tonight- Tuesday, with surface gusts 30-40 kt at times. For Tuesday, snow begins between 15-18Z and becomes nearly continuous until around 06-08Z, with at least a 40% chance for runway accumulations at least 4" at the main terminals. MJD

AVALANCHE

Our major, multi-day winter storm is here! Widespread heavy snow is projected from today through early Wednesday morning.

* Snowfall totals and rates: Through early Wednesday morning, 2-4 feet of snow along the crest, with up to 5 feet in southern Mono county. Heaviest snowfall rates will be this afternoon, with rates of 1-2"/hr across most avalanche center terrain (localized rates of 3+"/hr in southern Mono county). Another round of higher snowfall rates kicks off around 10 am Tuesday that will persist through the evening.

* SLRs and SWE: Lower SLRs at the onset of the storm system (10- 12:1), increasing to 13-14:1 by late tonight. The coldest air arrives Tuesday, increasing SLRs to 15-16:1. SWE of 2.5-4" through early Wednesday morning, with up to 5" along the highest peaks, mainly in the Tahoe Basin and southern Mono county.

* Ridgetop gusts: Southwest winds with gusts of 50-60 mph today (locally higher in southern Mono county) increase to 70-90 mph by late tonight. Peak wind gusts of 100+ mph.

-Giralte/Edan

Avalanche Weather webpage - www.weather.gov/rev/Avalancheweather

REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories

NV...Winter Weather Advisory from 4 PM this afternoon to 4 AM PST Wednesday NVZ001-005.

Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST Wednesday NVZ002.

Winter Storm Warning from 7 AM Tuesday to 4 AM PST Wednesday NVZ003.

Winter Weather Advisory from 1 PM Tuesday to 4 AM PST Wednesday NVZ004.

CA...Winter Weather Advisory from 4 PM this afternoon to 4 AM PST Wednesday CAZ070.

Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST Wednesday CAZ071>073.