Snow Day for Washoe County Schools, Road Restrictions in Reno and Sierra

Updated Feb. 17, 2026, 7:21 a.m. PT

A snow day is in effect on Tuesday, Feb. 17 for the Washoe County School District. The district announced around 5 a.m. That all schools would be closed due to hazardous weather and road conditions. Closures extend beyond K-12 education, impacting several institutions in northwestern Nevada.

School and University Closures

In addition to Washoe County School District schools, the following institutions are closed on Tuesday, Feb. 17:

• Bishop Manogue Catholic High School (online learning will continue)
• Carson City School District
• Storey County School District
• University of Nevada, Reno campus operations (online courses will proceed as scheduled)
• Truckee Meadows Community College campus operations, including the child care center (online courses will proceed as scheduled)
• Western Nevada College’s Carson City campus, including the child care center (the Fallon campus will remain open)

State Office Closures

State offices in Carson City, and in Washoe, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties are also closed today.

Road Conditions and Chain Requirements

Road restrictions are in place not only in the Sierra Nevada but also throughout the city of Reno. As of 7:11 a.m., the following chain requirements are in effect:

• Reno: Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels.
• Interstate 80: Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels from Reno west to Gold Run, California, and east to USA Parkway (State Route 439).
• U.S. 50: Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels between U.S. 395 and the California state line, and from Meyers and 3 miles east of Placerville in California.
• Interstate 580: Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels between State Route 431 (Mount Rose Highway) to Eastlake Boulevard in Washoe Valley.
• State Route 431 (Mount Rose Highway): Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels between South Virginia Street and State Route 28.
• State Route 341 (Geiger Grade Road): Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels between South Virginia Street and 5 Mile Flat.
• State Route 88: Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels between Woodfords and Dew Drop Bypass in California.
• U.S. 95: A wind alert has been issued for vehicles over 9 feet tall between Hawthorne and U.S. 95-ALT south of Schurz.

Weather Forecast

The National Weather Service in Reno reports that light snow will continue throughout Tuesday, increasing in intensity after 10 a.m. Heavy snow is expected Tuesday afternoon, with accumulations at all valley floors by the evening commute.

• Tuesday: Snow, with accumulations of 2 to 6 inches in the valleys, 3 to 7 inches above 5,000 feet, 12 to 20 inches around Lake Tahoe and 14 to 22 inches above 7,000 feet. Highs in the upper 30s to low 40s in the valleys and in the mid-20s to mid-30s around Lake Tahoe. Southwest winds 20-30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, and ridge gusts up to 80 mph.
• Tuesday night: Heavy snow, then partly cloudy with a diminishing chance of snow after midnight. Snow accumulation of 1 to 5 inches in the valleys, 6 to 12 inches around Lake Tahoe and 9 to 15 inches above 7,000 feet. Lows in the 10s in the valleys and in the mid-0’s to mid-10s at higher elevations.
• Wednesday: Partly cloudy in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance of up to 1 inch of snow in the valleys and 1 to 4 inches around Lake Tahoe. Highs in the mid-30s in the valleys and in the 20s at higher elevations.
• Wednesday night: Snow likely in the Sierra, with a chance of snow in the valleys. Lows in the low 10s to low 20s in the valleys and in the upper 0s to upper 10s at higher elevations. Winds 10-15 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph and ridge gusts up to 60 mph.
• Thursday: Snow likely. Highs in the mid-30s in the valleys and in the mid-20s at higher elevations. Winds 10-15 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph and ridge gusts up to 70 mph.

Resources

• National Weather Service: weather.gov
• Nevada Department of Transportation: nvroads.com and dot.nv.gov
• Caltrans: roads.dot.ca.gov
• NV Energy weather stations: nvenergy.westernweathergroup.com
• ALERTWildfire: alertwildfire.org