Northern Nevada at lower drought risk due to October atmospheric river

RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — From October 24-25, the Reno Tahoe International Airport reported the highest rain total for October, and the third highest rain total in Reno since 1893.

With 2.92 inches of rain in Reno, and up to 24 inches of snow for the Eastern Sierra, the atmospheric river that swept over northern Nevada and California in October was unusual, according to Federal Water Master Chad Blanchard.

This is the largest October we've had in Tahoe City in 111 years as far as precipitation goes so, very rare.

This atmospheric river event also allowed for Lake Tahoe to rise above its natural rim, setting northern Nevada up for success for the remainder of the water year:

• 50% of our snowpack comes from atmospheric river events
• Lake Tahoe is set to remain above its' natural rim through the rest of the water year

Twelve days before the atmospheric river event hit Northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe had dipped below its natural rim level.

With the lake rising six inches above its natural rim following the storm, lake waters were finally able to contribute to the Truckee River outflow: something that was not happening before this massive weather event.

In terms of what the rest of the water year will look like as we head into the winter season -- National Weather Service Senior Service Hydrologist Tim Bardsley says, we are off to a great start.

Bardsley predicts Lake Tahoe will stay above its natural rim through the rest of the water year.

Hydrologists measure water years starting in October and ending in September.