Flooding due to the approach of a warm storm system forecast to bring rain to the Sierra and western Nevada is forecast for the upcoming weekend. The map below shows potential flood areas where the red indicates worse flooding and yellow moderate flooding. Flooding is expected in downtown Reno, but the greatest potential for loss will be Continue Reading »
2017 opened to cold temperatures followed by rain and today the first significant snow in Reno this winter. Since the beginning of the stormy weather here in the central Sierra surrounding Lake Tahoe, snowpack has gone from well below the 1981-2010 average to now above that 30 year average. Total precipitation, however, continues above average since October with at least one station Continue Reading »
The “atmospheric river” resulted in rain throughout the central Sierra and the Reno area for most of Saturday, Dec 10, 2016. Rain was heavy in the mountains with snow confined to higher elevations. Consequently, runoff from the storm quickly entered the Truckee River below Lake Tahoe and sent flows approaching 5,000 cubic-feet-per-second through Reno and Continue Reading »
This satellite infrared image of an approaching storm with moisture streaming from the central Pacific is pretty impressive. How much rain & snow will be see from it? We’ll check back on Sunday.
Despite the rains of October in the central Sierra, Tahoe today is still 3.6″ below its rim and no water flows to the Truckee River from the Lake. Most of the Truckee River flow comes from tributaries downstream of Lake Tahoe’s outlet including the Little Truckee River, its largest tributary. It is, however, likely that Tahoe will rise above Continue Reading »