High Wind — Western Nevada Basin and Range, Nevada

2022-12-27 · Western Nevada Basin and Range, Nevada

Event narrative

Law enforcement located 11 SSW of Fallon Station reported an overturned semi-trailer on US-95 near the entrance to the Top Gun raceway due to high winds in the area. No injuries were reported.

Wider weather episode

During the final week of December, a very active weather set up with a series of generally warmer Pacific winter storms moving through the region. These winter storms were able to tap into a deep layer of subtropical moisture provided by attendant atmospheric rivers that pushed snow levels higher as compared to earlier storm systems. The initial winter storm from 26-27 December pushed snow levels mainly above 7000 feet where 1-2 feet of snow fell. Sierra locations below 7000 feet generally received only 1-6 inches of accumulated snow. Precipitation across much of the rest of western Nevada fell as rain with 0.50-1 inch rainfall totals measured around the Reno-Sparks-Carson City multiplex, which continued south into Douglas and Lyon counties. Lesser precipitation amounts were reported farther east. Strong wind gusts were also reported on the 27 and 30 December, especially in Mineral, Lyon, and southern Churchill counties where weather spotters and the public reported some tree damage. Wind gusts over 90 mph near Walker Lake blew over several tractor-trailers along US-95 while peak gusts across Sierra ridge-tops exceeded 150 mph.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1136124. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.