textproduct: Elko

KEY MESSAGES

1201 AM PST Sun Feb 15 2026

* Strong southerly winds in Central Nevada Monday and Tuesday

* A series of storm systems will impact Northern and Central Nevada Monday afternoon through Wednesday evening

* Snow levels will drop to the valley floor Monday night

* Winter driving conditions likely on all roads Tuesday night and Wednesday morning

UPDATE

Issued at 1201 AM PST Sun Feb 15 2026

No changes were made to the forecast at this time.

DISCUSSION

(Today through Saturday)

WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW: A shortwave upper ridge will continue to keep the dry and unseasonably warm temperatures over Nevada through the rest of the weekend. Some afternoon gusts expected in central Nevada with speeds reaching up to 15-20 mph, gusts as high as 25-30. An upper level trough over the Pacific Coast is expected to enter the western United States tonight. Cloud levels expected to lower tonight as the front pushes further into Nevada.

By Monday, the low pressure system will strengthen and begin to extend the trough over the southwest. The strength of the system will push moisture across the Sierra Nevada and into Central and Northern Nevada. Snow levels will be around 6000 feet to start as temperatures still expected to reach above normal during the day, but much colder temperatures from the front will arrive Monday night, dropping snow levels to the valley floor. This will make the precipitation Monday afternoon start as rain for the valleys, then transition to snow Monday night. Winds are expected to be strong for central Nevada Monday afternoon, with gusts reaching as high as 45 to 55 mph. Winds in northern Nevada will not be as strong, but may reach up to 20 to 30 mph in gusts.

Tuesday and Wednesday, the low pressure system over the west coast of the United States will continue to keep the upper trough with southwesterly flow over the area. Potential for convective snow bands over central Nevada as CAPE values are forecasted to increase with negative lift indices, which will bring potential for higher snow rates and accumulations. Temperatures will continue on a cooling trend as highs Tuesday are expected to be slightly below normal in the 30s to low 40s, and overnight lows reaching into the teens to 20s. By Wednesday, temperatures expected to be even lower with highs in the 20s to 30s and low temperatures into the single digits to teens.

Thursday and Friday, the upper trough is expected to remain over Nevada. Much of the snow front will have passed, leaving lingering snow shower chances across Northern Nevada. Temperatures will remain below normal with highs in the 20s to low 30s, and overnight lows in the single digits to teens.

Saturday, the upper trough is expected to weaken into more of a zonal flow, however some models are indicating a weak upper ridge possible. The consistent outcome is warmer temperatures returning yet stay slightly below normal with highs in the 30s to 40s. Beyond the forecast, long range models are showing good agreement of another low pressure system impacting the Western United States.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS: High confidence of dry warm weather through the rest of the weekend. High confidence of strong gusty winds in central Nevada Monday and Tuesday. High confidence of winter weather impacts across northern and central Nevada Monday through Wednesday. High confidence of below normal temperatures Tuesday through Friday. Increased wind values in the NBM grids to reflect the strong gusty winds Monday and Tuesday.

AVIATION

Look for VFR conditions at all terminals over the next 24 hour period. Breezy southerly winds across the central terminals with speeds up to 12-18kts, gusts 22-28 kts. Winds at northern terminals will be light, below 10 kts.

LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories

None.