textproduct: Elko

KEY MESSAGES

* Unseasonably warm through at least Friday

* Isolated to scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms across portions of northern and central Nevada through Friday evening

* Strong, gusty winds in Central Nevada Friday and Saturday

* Precipitation chances increase this weekend along with cooler temperatures

UPDATE

Issued at 1216 AM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

No major changes were needed to the forecast today through Friday. Incoming upper level system will bring isolated to scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms to portions of northern and central Nevada through this period. As the low pressure system moves closer, chances for measurable precipitation increases through the weekend, with markedly cooler temperatures and breezy to windy conditions.

AVIATION UPDATE

Look for VFR conditions across all terminals over the next 24 hour period. There is a twenty to thirty percent probability of -TSRA across the northern TAF sites of KWMC-KBAM-KEKO this afternoon. Winds will generally be breezy with gusts to 20KT though any thunderstorms could bring gusty erratic winds to 25KT.

TAF AMD NOT SKED will continue at KEKO due to communications issue.

DISCUSSION

(This afternoon through next Wednesday)

WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW: Look for calm conditions and unseasonably warm temperatures to continue this afternoon through tomorrow as upper ridging lingers over Nevada. By early Thursday, the upper ridge will start being pushed eastward as models show a one-two punch of low pressure systems moving across the silver state.

By Thursday afternoon through Friday, the first wave of a cut-off low over the Pacific begins to move into Nevada, giving a southwesterly flow across the region with ample moisture to increase chances for precipitation over the western half of Nevada. The upper ridge that was pushed eastward is expected to not weaken in strength, keeping rain chances across the west as the low system struggles to push eastward, eventually pushing towards eastern portions of Nevada Friday afternoon. Temperatures are expected to still be unseasonably warm, leaving the precipitation to fall as rain with little to no snow expected. Models are also showing increasing CAPE values with good wind shear, increasing chances for isolated thunderstorms over the area. Wind speeds will also increase across central Nevada as the front pushes in with speeds from the south up to 15-25 mph, gusts as high as 40 mph which may warrant a Wind Advisory for the area.

Friday night into the weekend, the second more defined low pressure system to the northwest over the Pacific will push into Nevada, absorbing the cut-off low as well as bringing in more moisture, instability, and much cooler temperatures. Breezy winds across central Nevada again by Saturday afternoon with speeds up to 15-25 mph, gusts as high as 35 mph. Models are showing a good amount of instability, increasing chances for more isolated thunderstorms Saturday afternoon across the entire region. Saturday night into Sunday morning, much cooler temperatures begin to move over the state dropping temperatures several degrees below normal with highs in the 40s. Mountain snow is expected Saturday night with some snow reaching just above valley level as snow levels begin to drop just below 6000 feet. Periods of rain and mountain snow expected to be ongoing throughout Sunday until Sunday night as cooler temperatures drop snow levels to around 5000 feet with lows in the 20s, allowing some snow accumulations to reach the valleys. By Monday, the low pressure system will push eastward out of Nevada with chances for precipitation to continue in the morning and dissipate by the afternoon.

Tuesday and into next week, models begin to show discrepancies on weather patterns with some showing an upper ridge starting to build back up, while others show a weak trough lingering over the area. The main agreement with the models is drier weather along with warmer temperatures through the week.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS: High confidence of unseasonably warm temperatures today and tomorrow. Moderate confidence of rain and thunderstorms Thursday and Friday. High confidence for strong winds across central Nevada Friday. High confidence of increasing precipitation chances over the weekend. No changes to NBM grids at this time.

AVIATION

Look for VFR conditions across all terminals over the next 24 hour period. CIG levels are expected to drop as clouds move over all terminals between FL100 and FL200 with northern terminals seeing CIG levels drop to around FL080 tonight. Winds light and variable.

LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories

None.