With the passing of a relatively balmy November bitter cold could be in store for northern Nevada for the next three month according to weather forecasters.
The national weather service predicted last month that winter in Nevada could be 10 degrees colder than average mirroring last year’s deep freeze where the temperature remained below freezing from late December to the end of February.
While no absolute lows were set the 50 some days of below freezing was itself a record for the high desert.
The chill was also fatal with five deaths attributed directly to the cold and caused tens of thousands of dollars in damages mostly from burst water pipes.
“It may sound simple but the most important thing is to stay warm,” said Elko under Sheriff Clare Morris last year. “If you find yourself stranded look for a shelter, flag down a law enforcement officer. No one is going to arrest you for vagrancy when it is 15 below zero. But they will take you to a shelter where you can get a hot meal.”
NHP Trooper Jim Stewart also cautioned drivers not to try and walk to the closest town for help after a breakdown.
“We have regular patrols and in the event of snow there are snow plows,” he also said last year. “If your car breaks down make sure it is well off the road and then stay in it. It is warmer and easier to spot than a lone individual on the road. We will find you as long as you stay put.”
