Reno Daily: Storm Cleanup, Power Scare, and Western Lights Finale

Reno, NV – February 22, 2026 – From record-breaking snow to glowing downtown art, Reno heads into the new week juggling cleanup, safety concerns, and a big community celebration.

Warm storm raises flood concerns after heavy snow

After last week’s major Sierra storm dropped several inches of snow in the valley and feet in the mountains, forecasters say Reno will see a brief warmup followed by a wetter system early this week.

Daytime highs are expected to climb into the 50s, quickly melting snow and ice on roads, sidewalks, and rooftops. A warmer storm moving in Monday night through Thursday is forecast to bring mainly rain to lower elevations, with snow confined to higher terrain.

Officials are warning that rapid melt plus new rainfall could create localized flooding in low-lying spots and along creeks and rivers. Residents are being urged to clear storm drains where it is safe, keep an eye on basements and crawl spaces, and avoid driving through standing water.

Underground explosion near Meadowood triggers power probe

An underground electrical box exploded near the Meadowood Mall area on Saturday afternoon, briefly cutting power and rattling nearby businesses. NV Energy crews and firefighters responded quickly to secure the scene and restore service.

The blast comes as the grid is already under strain from the recent winter weather. State regulators and utility officials are expected to review what happened, including the maintenance history of the affected equipment, to determine whether aging infrastructure or storm-related stress played a role.

Authorities said outages were localized and there were no immediate reports of serious injuries, but the incident has renewed calls for long-term investment in Reno’s power systems.

Western Lights festival caps a bright weekend downtown

Downtown Reno wraps up the Western Lights Illuminated Arts Festival today, closing out three nights of large-scale light installations, performances, and family-friendly activities spread across City Plaza and surrounding streets.

The free event has turned the riverfront and civic core into a midwinter art walk, featuring interactive sculptures, roaming performers, and music on multiple stages. VIP experiences this year added heated lounge space, artist meet-and-greets, and even black light bowling inside the National Bowling Stadium.

Many installations draw inspiration from Burning Man art that has become a year-round feature of Reno’s public spaces, reinforcing the city’s growing identity as an arts hub between festival seasons.

Sources

https://www.kolotv.com/2026/02/22/warm-storm-system-expected-this-week-ushering-flood-concerns/
https://dailyrenonews.com/
https://www.2news.com/news/reno-breaks-daily-record-for-amount-of-snow-and-other-snow-reports/article_17c564a4-0429-4092-9b8d-0270a160ddac.html
https://thenevadaglobe.com/702times/grid-failure-underground-explosion-near-meadowood-mall-triggers-nv-energy-probe/
https://www.freshbakin.com/events/western-lights-illuminated-arts-festival-2026/
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/western-lights-vip-experiences-tickets-1980489322878
https://www.visitrenotahoe.com/iconic-events/burning-man