A powerful winter storm that has already brought record-breaking winds to California is now battering Nevada, prompting widespread weather alerts across the state. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a combination of high wind warnings, blizzard warnings, winter storm warnings, and winter weather advisories, anticipating hazardous conditions.

Nevada residents should prepare for:

• Strong Winds: Gusts up to 75 mph are expected in some areas, particularly in higher elevations. Winds in excess of 145 mph have already been recorded in parts of California.
• Heavy Snowfall: Some regions of Nevada could see up to 13 inches of snow.
• Blizzard Conditions: Parts of Lincoln County are under a rare blizzard warning, with anticipated snowfall of 6 to 14 inches and wind gusts reaching 70 mph. Visibility could be near zero, making travel extremely dangerous.

Warnings Extend Across the West

The storm’s impacts are far-reaching, with warnings in place throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and of course, California. AccuWeather has declared this blizzard the “biggest storm of winter” for California, predicting snowfall rates up to 4 inches per hour and blizzard conditions with significant snowdrifts.

Advice for Nevada Residents

The NWS Las Vegas advises residents to avoid travel if possible, as the combination of heavy snow and powerful winds will create life-threatening conditions.