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 heavy some
days,
