Powerful winter storm pummels Sierra, northern Nevada

Sandra Chereb

Monday, Feb. 23, 1998 | 9:06 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - A powerful winter storm pummeled the Sierra and northern Nevada on Monday with snow and blustery winds, creating miserable, if not treacherous, driving conditions.

The storm lingered throughout the day, before exiting by late afternoon almost as quickly as it arrived.

Heavy snow and dangerous roads prompted Gov. Bob Miller to declare a snow emergency in northern Nevada before noon. Most nonessential workers were sent home before conditions became worse.

Employees were informed to report to work as scheduled Tuesday unless otherwise notified.

It was the second time this year Miller declared a snow emergency on the advice of the Nevada Highway Patrol.

But clear skies returned by sundown, and a winter storm warning for the Lake Tahoe area and western Nevada was cancelled.

A winter storm warning remained in effect through Monday night for Mono County in California and for Mineral and southern Lyon counties in Nevada above 5,000 feet.

The National Weather Service said lingering snow showers would continue across the region overnight, but accumulations would be much less than those that occurred during the height of the storm's intensity.

Snow fell at a rate of 1-2 inches an hour at some places around the Tahoe Basin on Monday.

In the Reno area, accumulations varied from a few inches to up to 8 inches, depending on the location.

Numerous fender-benders and spinouts kept law enforcement busy throughout the day, but there were no major accidents.

"It's been relatively quiet," said officer Ron Wulff of the California Highway Patrol in Truckee, Calif. "We've had a few accidents, but nothing real heavy-duty."

Flights in and out of Reno-Tahoe International Airport continued, though airport spokeswoman Kathy Carter said travelers should expect delays.

The Mount Rose Highway southwest of Reno was shut down by an avalanche around 2:30 p.m. Three vehicles were involved, but no injuries were reported, Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman Tony Almaraz said. The road was reopened about an hour later.

"This is a pretty big storm for us," Reno meteorologist Ray Collins said.

Collins predicted snow showers would linger into early Tuesday before tapering off later in the day.

Another system could move into the area Wednesday, but Collins said it would not pack the punch of Monday's rains and snows.

Monday's storm was the latest in a series of El Nino-generated weather systems that have pummeled the higher regions about every other day through February.

"It's the same it's been the entire month," said David Kerr, an inspector at the California Food and Agriculture inspection station in Truckee, Calif.

"It's been crazy up here," he said. "I'd like to see that thing called the sun."

Chains were mandatory on Interstat