Nevada state climatologist urges expanded high‑elevation precipitation monitoring, highlights global mountain station projects

Dr. Baker Perry, Nevada state climatologist and a professor of climatology at the University of Nevada, Reno, told the Western Regional Water Commission on Oct. 15 that expanded, higher‑quality precipitation observations — especially at high elevations and for frozen precipitation — are essential for local water planning and drought monitoring.

Perry described international sensor networks he helps operate, including a network of weather stations on Mount Everest and high‑elevation stations in the Andes, and said those instruments revealed extreme events and processes that were previously undocumented. "We fundamentally don't understand all the processes driving the change that we're seeing in the high mountain drought," Perry said, adding that improved observations affect both water supply projections and flood hazard forecasting.

The presentation matters because Nevada's water supply depends on snow and mountain runoff, and Perry and other experts told commissioners the state currently lacks sufficient, elevationally distributed gauges that reliably measure solid precipitation. Perry described the state climate office's regular products — quarterly climate reports and monthly drought updates and outlooks — and said those reports are triggered when at least 50% of a county meets drought designation thresholds.

Perry summarized research installations and data highlights: stations placed above 16,000 feet in the Andes (funded in part by the National Science Foundation), a network of five stations on Everest installed with National Geographic partners, and recent extreme snowfall observations recorded at an Everest base camp weighing precipitation gauge (3.62 inches liquid equivalent in 12 hours). He said those sites provide information that can change modeling and projections of mountain hydrology.

Locally, Perry said Nevada relies heavily on SNOTEL and federal agency networks but noted those systems use older technology and do not adequately capture frozen precipitation at many high elevations. "Higher quality precipitation observations, especially higher up, and not just the amount but what type is falling," he said, pointing to present‑weather sensors (disdrometers/optical instruments) that distinguish rain from snow as important for predicting rain‑on‑snow flood events.

Perry described research and instrumentation installed near Tahoe and in Washoe Valley, including a weighing precipitation gauge at Little Valley and a micro‑array radar that provides real‑time vertical storm structure and melting‑layer (snow level) data. He urged expansion of similar observing sites across the state to inform forecasts and water‑management decisions.

The state climatologist also called for more citizen scientists to join the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS). "We're in the midst of a fall recruitment drive right now to try to get more observers from across the state, especially in rural and higher elevation areas," Perry said, and invited commission members to help spread the word and to sign up for the state climate office listserv.

Commission members asked about local heat mapping and comparative warming trends; Perry noted that his deputy, Tom O'Brien, led a Reno heat‑mapping campaign and that a paper comparing Reno's trends is "in the works." Commissioners pressed for an accessible, professionally documented compilation of local heat and climate trends that planners and elected officials can cite; Perry said a formal paper and more outreach are planned.

On federal funding, Perry said the research community faces uncertainty: some expeditions and instrumentation efforts have relied on private foundations and donations after federal solicitations were delayed or frozen. He said the Nevada state climatologist position is funded through UNR's appropriation from the state, and that the office conducts outreach, publishes reports, and coordinates with the National Weather Service and other partners.

Commissioners and staff identified practical local needs Perry emphasized: more spatially and elevationally distributed weighing precipitation gauges, present‑weather sensors to distinguish rain vs. snow, and expanded data sharing with local agencies to improve reservoir and runoff forecasts. Commissioners also discussed modelers at DRI and local research groups whose controlled experiments help prioritize mitigation strategies such as tree canopy, shading and low‑impact development.

Perry closed by offering follow‑up support and to share bulletin reports and listserv sign‑up information. "Don't hesitate to reach out if you have other questions," he said. The commission thanked Perry and opened a question period that covered recruitment of citizen observers, heat mapping results and opportunities to expand local monitoring networks.

Looking ahead, Perry and the commission identified near‑term actions that would support local water and heat planning: increase high‑quality precipitation gauges in the Truckee and Carson basins, coordinate with the National Weather Service and the Truckee River Flood Authority on weighing gauges and monitoring upgrades, and publish the forthcoming Reno heat analysis to provide a professional, citable record for planners.