Reno, NV – Emergency officials across Nevada are urging residents to begin preparing today for potential winter hazards, including freezing rain events that can impact the state during temperature inversions and warm-front transitions. While snow is far more common in the Sierra Nevada and high desert, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns that even brief periods of freezing rain can lead to dangerous travel and infrastructure damage across Northern and Eastern Nevada.
According to NOAA, a thin glaze of ice can snap weakened tree branches, damage powerlines, and create travel hazards on major routes such as I-80, US-395, Mt. Rose Highway, and rural connectors surrounding the Reno–Tahoe region. Temperature swings and shallow cold air trapped in valleys can allow freezing rain to develop unexpectedly. With more fluctuations anticipated this season, officials say today is the ideal time for residents to complete winter preparations.
According to the National Weather Service, residents should begin by trimming weak or damaged branches around homes, garages, and walkways. These limbs are often the first to fall once ice starts accumulating. NOAA also advises drivers not to raise their windshield wipers before storms, as wipers can freeze to the glass and break; keeping them lowered and covered is recommended.
Emergency managers urge families to maintain at least a week’s supply of non-perishable food, bottled water, and essential prescriptions. Ice storms can trigger localized outages and hazardous road conditions across Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Elko, and higher-elevation communities. Officials also warn residents not to park vehicles beneath trees, where ice-loaded limbs may fall unexpectedly.
To prepare for potential power loss, residents should fully charge phones, flashlights, power banks, and essential electronics today. Homeowners who rely on generators should safely store extra gasoline and perform a test run before winter storms develop. Stocking rock salt or ice melt can also help reduce slip hazards around entryways and walkways.
“Even occasional ice events can disrupt daily life across Nevada,” the NWS said. “Preparing today is the best way to stay safe this winter.”
