Climate:
Reno sits in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Annual rainfall averages 7.48 inches (190 mm). Despite this low amount of rainfall per year, Reno features a steppe climate due to its low evapotranspiration. Annual precipitation has ranged from 1.55 inches (39.4 mm) in 1947 to 13.23 inches (336.0 mm) in 1983. The most precipitation in one month was 5.25 inches (133.4 mm) in December 1955 and the most precipitation in 24 hours was 2.29 inches (58.2 mm) on January 21, 1943. Winter has snowfall which is usually light to moderate but can be really heavy some days, averaging 23.8 inches (60 cm) annually. Snowfall varies dramatically around town with the lowest amounts (roughly 19-23 inches annually) at the lowest part of the valley at and east of the Reno/Tahoe International airport at 4404 feet, while the foothills of the Carson range to the west ranging from 4700 to 5600 just a few miles west of downtown can receive up to 2-3 times as much annual snowfall. The mountains of the Virginia range to the east can receive more summer Thunderstorms and Precipitation, and around twice as much annual snowfall if you go above 5500 feet. However, Snowfall increases up in the Virginia Range are less dramatic as you climb in elevation than the Carson Range to the West because the Virginia Range is well within the Rain Shadow of the Sierra Nevada and Carson range. The most snowfall in one year was 63.8 inches (162 cm) in 1971 and the most snowfall in one month was 29.0 inches (74 cm) in March 1952. Most rainfall occurs in winter and spring. The city has 300 days of sunshine per year. Summer thunderstorms happen occasionally, Mostly between April and October. The eastern side of town and the mountains east of Reno tend to be prone to thunderstorms slightly more often and these storms may be slightly more severe because an afternoon downslope west wind, called a "Washoe Zephyr", sometimes develops in the Sierra Nevada, causing air to be pulled down in the Sierra Nevada and Reno, destroying or preventing thunderstorms but the very same wind can push air upwards against the Virginia range and other mountain ranges east of Reno, creating powerful thunderstorms.
Summer highs are generally in the low to mid 90s °F (32-36 °C), but temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C) occur occasionally. The July high daytime temperature peaks at an averages 93 °F (33.9 °C); the night low 52 °F (11.1 °C); while January high daytime temperatures average 45 °F (7.2 °C) and low night temperatures average 21 °F (-6.1 °C). The record high temperature was 108 °F (42 °C) on July 10 and 11, 2002. The record low temperature was -19 °F (-28 °C) on January 8, 1890. In addition, the region is frequently windy throughout the year; observers such as Mark Twain have commented about the "Washoe Zephyr", northwestern Nevada's distinctive wind.