The National Weather Service in Elko issued a winter storm warning October 31 for the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range, forecasting heavy mountain snow beginning Saturday afternoon.
The warning’s written forecast calls for 12 to 16 inches above 7,500 feet and 8 to 12 inches between 6,500 and 7,500 feet. Those are forecast accumulations, rather than measurements of snow already on the ground.
The stated warning period begins at 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time Saturday, October 31, and continues until 10 p.m. Pacific Standard Time Sunday, November 1. The change in timezone reflects the overnight return to standard time.
The weather service identified several routes where snow-covered roads are expected: State Route 229 through Secret Pass, the road into Lamoille Canyon and Harrison Pass in the southern Ruby Mountains.
The notice covers the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt forecast area in Elko County. Its elevation-specific totals should not be read as a forecast for every community in the county.
In its public warning, the weather service urged people to postpone travel where possible and said vehicles used for necessary travel should be winterized and in working order.
The warning was issued at 7:39 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time October 31. This report describes that official forecast and its stated validity period.