Isolated snow showers are possible in the mountains Monday through Wednesday with the best chances north of Lake Tahoe with a couple weak storm systems brushing by the region on Tuesday and Wednesday.  

Partly cloudy skies for our valleys with temperatures warming up into the 50s by midweek with a slight chance for an isolated showers.

A nice weekend is on the way with partly sunny skies and mid 50s for afternoon highs.

Early Monday morning, I-80 over the summit and Mt. Rose Highway both reopened to cars. Monday afternoon I-80 opened to trucks. I-580 through Washoe Valley also reopened Monday afternoon. 

The CHP office in South Lake Tahoe warned motorists that tire chains for improved traction are required on routes through the mountains, where more than 7 feet (2.1 meters) of snow fell over the weekend.

Blizzard warnings had mostly expired but scattered thunderstorms were likely and another 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow was possible at higher elevations, the National Weather Service office in Sacramento said.

“Mountain travel is HIGHLY discouraged!” the office warned.

NWS Sacramento Snow Totals

Several ski resorts were closed during the weekend, like Palisades Tahoe. It announced on Monday, that it will again be closed for the day. 

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Governor Joe Lombardo has announced a 2-hour delayed start for state offices in Carson City for Monday Morning. The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) are reporting icy roads and dangerous driving conditions, leading to road closures in Washoe Valley on US 395 this morning. Aside from essential public safety and corrections personnel, state government offices in Carson City will open at 10:00 AM today on Monday, March 4, 2024.

Recent winter storms have created regional transportation delays and difficulties, and Governor Lombardo urges all Nevadans to continue to follow local guidance from NDOT and DPS. Furthermore, Governor Lombardo asks all Nevadans to drive safely and use sound judgement when navigating roadways.

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NV Energy says it is expecting severe wind and significant snow throughout western and northern Nevada beginning on Thursday and extending into the weekend.

NV Energy says it is prepared and on standby to quickly and safely respond to any outages that may occur.

"We encourage customers to review NV Energy's outage preparation tips so they are prepared ahead of any possible outage. Through NV Energy's outage center, customers can stay up to date on the number of outages, outage causes, number of customers impacted and estimated time of restoration."

NV Energy also encourages customers to update their contact information in MyAccount and to sign up in MyAccount for personalized alerts direct to cell phones. 

NV Energy also sent out these safety tips to customers: 

* Call 911 if you encounter a downed power line, and do not approach or touch the line.

* Report outages at nvenergy.com/outage or by calling customer service at (775)-834-4444.

* If someone in your house is on life support, prepare a backup plan. Customers on life support or other life-dependent electrically supported equipment can also enroll in the Green Cross Program.

* Review safety rules for portable generators if you own one.

* Learn how to override your electric garage door opener.

* Create an emergency kit that includes a blanket, flashlight, batteries and first aid supplies. Store these items in a water-tight container.

* If you are experiencing an outage, keep refrigerators and freezers closed to reduce food spoilage. If unopened and full, food can last for two days.

* More safety tips are available at nvenergy.com/outageprep.

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Meanwhile, City of Reno crews will continue to monitor the weather conditions and are working around the clock to prepare for the next series of storms.  

The public is advised to consider the following information heading into the storm:   

* Have a supply of non-perishable foods, medicine, baby supplies and pet food, as well as one gallon of water per person per day.     

* If you must travel, prepare for long delays and carry an emergency kit with extra food, water and clothing. For statewide road conditions visit NV Roads or call 511. See winter driving safety tips. 

* Remember to shovel snow from your driveway, sidewalk and near the roadway. This gives plows a place to push snow and helps reduce the chance of a snow berm being created across your driveway.  

* Have flashlights and/or battery-powered lanterns available, and a supply of back-up batteries.  

* Make a family disaster plan and emergency kit for floods, earthquakes and fires.   

* Keep pets inside. 

* Reno residents can submit flooding and downed trees in public spaces to Reno Direct at 775-334-4636 (INFO). After-hours reports can be called into 775-352-4249. 

* Consider all downed power lines as live and dangerous. If you see one, stay away and call 911 and NV Energy to report.  

* Keep outdoor home ventilation and chimneys clear of snow. 

* Remember to check in on loved ones and neighbors, especially older adults.    

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The Washoe County Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC) is monitoring the storm and working with all partners to ensure complete situational awareness of the storm. If necessary, the REOC will be activated to respond and deploy resources. As a standard practice, residents should stock a three-day supply of food, water, batteries, and personal necessities.  

Snow removal and Road Safety

This is a multi-day event that may impact things like mail delivery, garbage/recycling service, and travel. Plan ahead, expect slow travel and icy roads, and stay home if you can. Remove parked cars, garbage cans, etc., to allow our snow plow operators to do their jobs efficiently. Washoe County Roads crews maintain more than 1,000 miles of paved and gravel roads. Crews will focus on Priority 1 routes first, so expect accumulations on the Priority 2 & 3 routes. View routes here. Incline Village/Crystal Bay residents can view the real-time status of snow plows in their neighborhoods with our “Where Is My Plow” map here. Report roadway problems at 775-328-2180. 

Travel 

Check the Nevada Department of Transportation roads webcams or call 1-877-NV-ROADS for real-time road conditions and be prepared for possible delays. 

Traffic Signals

To report traffic signal issues, call 775-335-7623. 

Mountain safety

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for mountain locations including the Greater Lake Tahoe Area. Life-threatening conditions are expected Friday morning through Saturday morning, and whiteout conditions with near-zero visibility. Travel is not advised, but if it is necessary, prepare with water, food, and blankets. Practice extreme caution if recreating in mountain areas and stay out of backcountry locations that may be prone to avalanches. 

General Safety

* Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, outdoor use or portable space heater. Have a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

* Never use gas-powered appliances or other appliances intended for outdoor use indoors. 

* Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed and never use an extension cord or power strip to power them. 

* Never use your oven to heat your home.

* Never use a portable generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds or similar areas. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide (CO) can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off. 

* Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns if available. If you must use candles, make sure the area is ventilated since candles emit combustion products and, if left unattended, can be a fire hazard.

Flooding

Washoe County will respond to emergencies and flooded areas in unincorporated Washoe County. To report a problem, call Washoe311 at 3-1-1 or 775-328-2003. Service requests can also be made online here.  

To report a problem within the City of Reno, please call Reno Direct at 775-344-INFO (4636).  

To report a problem within the City of Sparks, please call 775-353-2231 or download the city’s new My Sparks app.  

Electricity 

Heavy snow can damage trees, which in turn can damage power lines. If you suspect damage to a power line, do not go anywhere near it. We encourage residents to review NV Energy’s outage preparation tips so they are prepared ahead of any possible outage. Through NV Energy’s outage center, customers can stay up to date on the number of outages, outage causes, number of customers impacted and estimated time of restoration. Report downed power lines to 9-1-1 and NV Energy’s emergency line: 775-834-4100. 

NV Energy also encourages customers to update their contact information in MyAccount and to sign up in MyAccount for personalized alerts direct to your mobile phone.  

Vulnerable Residents

Those who may be experiencing homelessness or need immediate shelter can go to the Resource Center at the Nevada Cares Campus, 1800 Threlkel Street, Reno. Case workers may be able to provide resources for temporary housing or other care, and the emergency shelter has nearly 600 beds with 84 emergency overflow cots as well. If an unhoused individual arrives at the Nevada Cares Campus and there is no available bed in the emergency shelter, they will be able to stay the night in the winter overflow on a first come, first served basis. Each person will be provided a bed, linens, and a locker to secure personal items. There is a warming center that is available 24/7 that serves lunch and dinner every day. Learn more about the Nevada Cares Campus and view the availability of beds and resources here.  

Helpful Contact Phone Numbers/Websites:

* NV 511 Traveler Information System - all 511 within Nevada or 877-NVROADS outside of Nevada, https://link.edgepilot.com/s/4742180d/5HAAhEq1mk2I5cKVp80EHw?u=http://www.safetravelusa.com/nv

* CAL TRANS Road Conditions – Call 800/427-7623, https://link.edgepilot.com/s/71490526/-wX0or5cHk_tHQ5J1cyz1w?u=http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/

* US National Weather Service Reno Call 775/673-8100,  https://link.edgepilot.com/s/ce388469/f3b5c8nWa0e_XXS3a4wjlA?u=https://www.weather.gov/rev/

* Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) Public Works - Call 775/832-1203, https://link.edgepilot.com/s/b5517700/rm1P9Md-_0C5tgscVGFlbg?u=https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/ivgid

* Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) - Call 775/328-3001, https://link.edgepilot.com/s/cc6d5fce/LDxEPX6-Nk_lM_fycZFjPg?u=https://www.washoesheriff.com/

* North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) – Call 775/831-0351, https://link.edgepilot.com/s/1b4f720d/4_JOz1aN_Ue1tvjmE7seXQ?u=http://www.nltfpd.org/

* Southwest Gas (SWG) Emergency Dispatch - 800/772-4555 (Northern Nevada and California), https://link.edgepilot.com/s/3b12ee9c/NS8OW4fkCEa7xd6WBLq-OA?u=https://www.swgas.com/

* NV Energy - Call 775/834-4100, https://link.edgepilot.com/s/986d6371/I5x0lviacUGvjn0CsLPffQ?u=https://www.nvenergy.com/

* Liberty Utilities – Call 800/782-2506,  https://link.edgepilot.com/s/e370a65e/KYbTzhLj7U2lYMncet_dkQ?u=https://libertyutilities.com/

* Sierra Avalanche Center – Call 530-587-3558, ext. 257 https://link.edgepilot.com/s/ef62bd3c/oIs_Fpbv5UKN464STm9MXg?u=https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/contact-us

* Washoe County Emergency Management – Call 775/337-5898, https://link.edgepilot.com/s/c1b99d80/-p99UpNY_0eKRwRGuZ7GSQ?u=https://www.washoecounty.gov/em/

* Washoe County Community Services/Snow & Ice/Where’s My Plow/IVCB Winter Parking -  https://link.edgepilot.com/s/9141bd89/0uo4wuFtnkiPQq-0tKlm1Q?u=https://www.washoecounty.gov/csd/operations/roads/Snow%2520and%2520Ice/index.php

* Code Red Regional Alert Notification - https://link.edgepilot.com/s/804b9191/_YapizPpd06sl_hTmHFlSg?u=https://www.washoecounty.gov/em/RegionalAlerts.php

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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