December 27, 2006
AP
RENO (AP) — Winds to 135 mph blasted the Sierra on Tuesday while gusts that topped hurricane strength grounded planes in Reno and toppled trucks in western Nevada ahead of a winter storm that was expected to drop more than a foot of snow in the mountains.
Photo: A tow truck driver moves one of several semi-trucks off the roadway of Old Highway 395 in Washoe Valley, Nev., Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, after it was blown over by high winds. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts of 81 mph in Washoe Valley and 128 mph at nearby Slide Mountain. (By Cathleen Allison, The Nevada Appeal via AP)
The strongest gust on Slide Mountain was recorded Tuesday afternoon, about the same time winds hit 81 mph in Washoe Valley, blowing over at least three tractor-trailers.
Winds that momentarily peaked at 104 mph at the National Weather Service in Reno delayed arrivals and departures at the Reno airport and forced several cancellations, according to airport spokesman Brian Kulpin.
A wildland fire possibly sparked by arcing power lines quickly spread over more than 100 acres in the hills above Sparks, but burned away from homes before it was slowed by incoming rain.
Weather Service meteorologist Scott McGuire said he happened to be glancing at the wind gauge when it briefly hit 104 mph. He said the weather service doesn't maintain wind speed records.
The winds ushered in a Pacific storm that was expected to drop a foot or so of snow in the mountains by early Wednesday with 6 inches or so at Lake Tahoe. A few more inches were expected on Wednesday. A winter storm warning was in effect through Wednesday afternoon.
In western Nevada, snow was expected to accumulate up to 4 inches in the foothills, with an inch or so possible on the valley floors just in time to disrupt the morning commute.
But ahead of the storm, the story was the wind.
High-profile rigs were diverted from wind-prone U.S. 395 but at least six still were tossed by the vicious winds, one ending up across the 2-lane diversion road.
Power was doused in scattered areas throughout the Sierra and western Nevada. Tahoe ski areas shut down their lifts in deference to the winds, which tossed the lake's usually placid waters into 6-foot breakers, according to the weather service.
As the snow moved in behind the wind, driving controls were posted in the Sierra.
Shortly after sundown, chains were mandatory over Donner Summit on Interstate 80 and on U.S. 50 in California from Meyers to Kyburz.
Both the snow and wind were expected to taper off late Wednesday with skies returning to cloudy by Thursday.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press.