textproduct: Elko

KEY MESSAGES

* Strong cold front moves in from the northwest tonight. Gusty winds and snowfall will produce minor travel impacts, primarily across northern Nevada.

* Generally fair weather in place Friday thru Sunday, though breezes will be present Sunday

* Next weather system moves in early next week

UPDATE

Issued at 1212 AM PDT Thu Apr 16 2026

Current forecast is tracking well at this time and no updates are planned.

DISCUSSION

(This evening through next Tuesday)

WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW: An upper level trough and associated surface cold front will pass through northern Nevada tonight and tomorrow, bringing cooler temperatures as well as showers and snow. Strong surface winds are also associated with the front, gusting up to 50 mph in northern Nevada today and around 40 mph in central Nevada tomorrow. Precipitation will begin as rain in Humboldt and northern Elko county before quickly transitioning to snow as it spreads south and east. Snowfall totals have decreased since this time yesterday with up to an inch now forecast for lower elevations and four to six inches forecast for mountain peaks. Minor travel impacts remain possible during the morning commute tomorrow, however ground temperatures remain relatively warm. Dry and warming weather begins on Friday, with high temperatures beginning in the 40s on Friday and warming to the upper 60s and low 70s by Sunday. Another strong upper level low is expected to approach the area by Sunday, however models are split on timing, with a faster solution bringing local impacts starting Monday while the slower solution holds off until Tuesday. The current forecast reflects the faster solution. What is consistent at this time is another cool wet and windy system that will need to be watched as it develops.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS: High confidence in showers, snow and cold today and tomorrow. Additional high confidence in calm and warming conditions through the weekend. No deviations from base NBM input at this time.

AVIATION

Winds weaken in the early overnight hours ahead of approaching cold front. Winds are expected to increase with the frontal passage, along with lowering ceilings and an onset of precipitation. Snow showers are expected around 10Z at KWMC, 11Z for KBAM and around 12Z at KEKO. VFR conditions are possible at these terminals tonight into early Thursday due to snow shower activity. Showers taper off at each of these three terminals later this morning as the front exits to the southeast. Winds increase at all terminals in the mid to late morning hours with 12-22kts gusting 20-35kts through this afternoon. Strongest winds are expected at KTPH.

LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories

None.