Residents of northern Nevada woke up to significant winter disturbances on February 13 as multiple school districts announced closures or delays due to severe weather conditions. The Washoe County School District and the Carson City School District, among others, found it necessary to alter their schedules to protect students and staff amid dangerously icy roads and heavy snowfall.
According to reports, the Washoe County School District (WCSD) was placed on a two-hour delay, as was Bishop Manogue Catholic High School. Virtual learning was initiated to accommodate students residing around the Arrowcreek, Montreux, Carson, Washoe, and North Valley areas, ensuring continuity of education. Day care facilities like Mater Academy Little Learners and KidsLife Development Center also adjusted their schedules with two-hour delays.
Meanwhile, widespread closures were reported, including all schools within the Washoe County School District located in Incline Village. The Carson City School District also had to shut down all its schools for the day, issuing notifications to parents and students alike—"All employees and students should remain home," they stated, noting the absence of any afterschool programs or remote instruction alternatives.
Further affecting the education spectrum, all Storey County and Douglas County schools were closed, as were all TMCC (Truckee Meadows Community College) campus locations until at least 9:30 AM. Regular classes and services at TMCC resumed remotely before this time, utilizing platforms such as Canvas and Zoom to support students. Western Nevada College similarly opted to close its Carson City campus and its Child Development Center, citing hazardous conditions.
"Due to the weather and out of an abundance of caution for our Meals on Wheels drivers, staff, volunteers and seniors, the Senior Center will also be closed today," reported the Carson City Senior Center, urging clients to utilize previously delivered frozen meals.
The reason for these massive disruptions stemmed from winter weather forecasts predicting heavy snowfall across the region—with the National Weather Service noting potential accumulations of up to five feet at higher elevations. Specifically, they warned residents of expected periods of moderate to heavy snowfall early Thursday, with rain mixing with snow throughout the day.
Beyond educational institutions, these weather warnings extended to various sectors, including government operations. The governor's office reported icy roads and precarious driving conditions across Washoe, Carson, Douglas, Storey, and Lyon counties, leading to the order for executive branch offices to delay opening until 10 AM, excluding those engaged in public safety and corrections, which were deemed as "essential services." Notably, the governor stressed the importance of safety for state employees on the roads.
Across the region, the weather's impact was felt far and wide. Tahoe Truckee Unified School District schools were closed, and reports indicated chain control measures remained on the stretch of Interstate 80 as travelers braved winter conditions. Upward of eight to twelve inches of snow had already fallen overnight at local ski resorts, which continued to operate under caution due to the impending storm.
“It’s happening! The forecast storm is here, with snow across much of northwestern NV,” tweeted one local weather account, which called attention to the storm and urged residents to prioritize safety: “Leave early, drive slowly, and leave extra room between vehicles.”
The winter storm was forecasted to persist, with rain possibly accompanying snow through Friday and extending its impact well until Monday, causing continued disruptions for schools and daily operations. Community members are encouraged to check local resources such as NVRoads.com for updated driving conditions.
With continued snowfall and hazardous conditions, discussions about the remainder of the week will be closely monitored, giving priority to safety protocols and advisories.