This past two weeks have been the coldest weather Reno has seen yet this season, especially when looking at low temperatures. The month of November is wrapping up completely different from how it started in Reno with temperatures in the 70’s. Granted, temperatures do typically get cooler as we get closer to December. However, this past week was colder than normal, with highs mainly in the 40’s. Which is roughly ten degrees below average.
According to climate, Reno usually sees measurable snow by the beginning of December. We had a chance for snow late Thursday, but the band broke up as it moved through Reno before reforming again near Carson City. Carson City mainly saw rain out of the system. The mountains did get around two inches of snow though. Meteorological winter starts on December 1st, which is when statistically we start feeling cold with winter weather becoming more common. Astronomical winter is based on the movement of the earth around the sun.
After finishing an impressive water year, it feels odd to have a month drier than normal. Just over a quarter of an inch of precipitation fell at the Reno Airport this past November. Average is just over six tenths. October was dry too. According to the Western Regional Climate Center, most of western Nevada is near the 25th percentile for precipitation from October 2nd through November 30th. On the other hand, temperatures came out closer to average this past month.
This weekend will be unsettled in the Sierra, with scattered snow showers. Snow totals will be light, ranging from a dusting to a few inches. Higher snow totals will favor counties north of Tahoe and west of Nevada. The snow level reaches 6500’ on Saturday and 7000’ on Sunday. The snow showers will be spotty, but could make our mountain passes slick from time to time, but not consistently. Mountain roads will be worse at night, with minor impacts during the day. Mt. Rose Highway will likely stay icy throughout much of the weekend. A stray rain shower is possible in Reno late Sunday, but it will be brief and light. Have a good weekend. Warmer weather moves in next week.
