PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (NV) Atrmospheric river to bring heavy, long duration rainfall and high flows to Western Nevada

Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2017 18:06:19 EST

Summary: An atmospheric river is expected to provide heavy, long duration rainfall and high flows to Western Nevada rivers and streams late on Saturday through Monday.

Starting late Saturday, an atmospheric river is expected to provide heavy rainfall in Western Nevada and the Sierra Nevada. The heaviest rains are expected to commence on Saturday night and last through early Monday for a duration of about 36 hours. With snow levels anticipated to rise from the valley floors at less than 4,700 ft to above 9,000 ft, the anticipated heavy rainfall will combine with the melting snowpack in the Sierra Nevada to generate much runoff to area streams and rivers. Streamflows are forecast to be less than record flows, but predicted to peak and exceed flood and monitoring stage.

The Nevada Water Science Center (NVWSC) is prepared to deploy 6 crews starting on Sunday morning to make discharge measurements on the Truckee, Carson, and Walker Rivers, and their many tributaries. NVWSC will be in contact with the National Weather Service and several local agencies in Reno, Carson City, and other locations to provide needed stage and flow information.