A severe winter storm has brought widespread disruption to northern Nevada, prompting school closures, travel warnings and delayed openings for colleges and universities on . The storm, which began impacting the region on Tuesday, is forecast to continue bringing significant snowfall, particularly in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The Carson City School District announced that all schools will remain closed for a second consecutive day, citing ongoing heavy snow accumulation and hazardous driving conditions. No student activities, after-school programs, or practices will take place, and essential school services such as transportation and nutrition programs have been suspended. Storey County School District is also closed today, according to reports. Bishop Manogue Catholic High School will transition to virtual learning for the day, allowing students to continue their education remotely while avoiding travel risks.
Further complicating travel plans, Interstate 80 remains closed in both directions from Colfax, California, to the Nevada state line due to heavy snowfall in the Sierra. Caltrans has not yet announced a reopening time. Chain controls are in effect on I-80 across the Reno-Sparks area and eastward toward Mustang, requiring chains on all vehicles except those with four-wheel drive and snow tires on all four wheels. Mount Rose Highway (State Route 431) is closed across upper elevations for avalanche control work, with chain controls also in place on I-580 in Washoe Valley and State Route 341 (Geiger Grade).
The storm’s impact extends to air travel, with Reno-Tahoe International Airport experiencing a growing number of flight cancellations. As of , seven flights had been cancelled, including Delta flight 4106 to Los Angeles and United flight 5899, also destined for Los Angeles. Further disruptions are anticipated as the storm continues.
Higher education institutions are adjusting schedules to accommodate the challenging conditions. The University of Nevada, Reno will begin classes at , while Truckee Meadows Community College will open at . Western Nevada College will also delay its opening until , although its Fallon campus will open at the earlier time of .
Lyon County School District will operate on a two-hour delay due to hazardous road conditions. District leaders have emphasized that the forecast calls for continued snow accumulation, potentially making morning commutes unsafe for students, staff, and families.
The National Weather Service has described the storm as a “shovelable, problematic kind,” indicating a substantial snowfall event for the region. The Reno area is bracing for up to six inches of snow in valley areas, with significantly higher accumulations expected at higher elevations. The storm is the result of two weather fronts converging over the region, bringing a mix of rain and snow.
Local authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to check official school websites, email alerts, and social media pages for the latest updates. U.S. 50 westbound is currently closed near South Carson Street in the Stewart area due to the weather conditions, blocking all lanes.
Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, the only Catholic high school in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno, was established in 1948 and relocated to its current site in southwest Reno in 2004. The school serves students in grades 9-12 and has an enrollment of approximately 640 students.