textproduct: Elko

KEY MESSAGES

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

* Strong, gusty winds in Central Nevada today

* Precipitation chances increase this weekend along with cooler temperatures

UPDATE

Issued at 334 AM PDT Sat Apr 11 2026

No changes have been made to the forecast. Will continue to watch rainfall across portions of northwestern Elko county as radar returns are showing minor rain accumulations.

DISCUSSION

(This afternoon through next Friday)

WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW: Active weather from an oncoming low pressure system will continue to bring periods of precipitation over northern and central Nevada today through Monday. Today, chances for precipitation will come from the west and spread across northern Nevada and much of the western portions of central Nevada. The front is not expected to reach Northeastern Nye County and White Pine County until late this evening but some isolated showers may still push into the counties. Conditions across much of the western portions of the CWA are favorable for isolated or scattered thunderstorms with the chance for some to become severe thunderstorms this afternoon. This evening, storms are expected to be ongoing for rain showers overnight with lingering chances for thunderstorms remaining across Northwestern Nye and Lander Counties before midnight. Due to the warmer temperatures in the 70s today, the precipitation is expected to be rain as snow levels remain above 9000 feet. Overnight, snow levels begin to drop as cooler air moves in, but remain above 7000 feet keeping snow chances in the mountains. Strong gusty southerly winds across central Nevada with speeds up to 20-30 mph, gusts 45 to 50 mph. A Wind Advisory has been issued for N. Nye, southern Eureka and Lander, and White Pine Counties until 9 pm this evening.

Tomorrow, the low pressure that is bringing in the active weather is slowly pushing eastward as an upper ridge east of the rockies situates over the Midwest. The system will still bring in periods of precipitation across the entire CWA and chance for more active thunderstorms in the afternoon being more prevalent across Lander, Eureka, and Elko Counties. Strong gusty southerly winds expected across central Nevada with speeds of up to 15-25 mph, gusts as high as 35-40 mph. Cooler air will help temperatures reach to near normal with highs in the upper 50s to 60s. This will keep much of the precipitation to fall as rain as snow levels remain above 7000 feet, allowing more much needed mountain snow. Tonight, cooler temperatures behind the front will bring snow levels down to below 6000 feet, bringing snow accumulations to the higher passes and summits seeing up to 0.5 inches with a small chance of reaching the valleys.

Sunday, the low pressure is expected to begin to cross over northern Nevada. Chances for active weather remain across the CWA with possible chances for more active thunderstorms in central Nevada. Cooler temperatures with highs in the 50s will keep snow levels around 6000 feet, making precipitation fall as valley rain with mountain snow. Breezy southerly winds with speeds up to 15-20 mph, gusts as high as 35 mph across eastern Nevada. Overnight, temperatures expected to drop into the 20s, dropping snow levels to around 5000 feet across the region, giving chances of snow reaching the valleys up to 0.5 inches with higher passes and summits seeing up to 1-2 inches. By Monday morning, snow is still expected to reach into the valleys, then becoming rain/snow mix as temperatures begin to warm with snow levels rising back to 6000 feet. By the afternoon, chances for precipitation begin to dissipate as the system weakens and pushes eastward out of Nevada.

Tuesday and Wednesday, quiet weather conditions return over the state with warmer temperatures returning as near zonal flow moves over Nevada. This calming weather is expected to be short lived however as models are showing better agreement that another low pressure system to the northwest will clip northern Nevada on Thursday, bringing in much cooler temperatures to below normal as well as increasing chances for more precipitation in northern Nevada. By Friday, models showing the position of the low trough pushing east but keeping cooler air aloft from a northwesterly flow.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS: High confidence of unseasonably warm temperatures today. High confidence of active weather this afternoon for precipitation and some thunderstorms. Moderate confidence of thunderstorms becoming severe this afternoon. High confidence active ongoing weather lasting through Monday with increasing precipitation chances. High confidence of strong gusty winds in central Nevada this afternoon and tomorrow. High confidence of cooler temperatures dropping below normal over the weekend. Low confidence of valley snow Saturday night, moderate confidence Sunday night. Low confidence of active weather Thursday. No changes to the grids at this time.

AVIATION

Active weather pattern today with chances for some active thunderstorms in the region. VCSH conditions at all northern terminals with chances of -RA and possible -TSRA across all northern terminals today and into the afternoon. VFR conditions dominant across all the terminals, however MVFR or lower conditions possible from passing storms. This evening, weather patterns shift with possible -RA and -TSRA conditions reaching towards KTPH but chances remain low so will be out of the TAFs at this time. Winds at the northern terminals expected to be below 10 kts, however passing thunderstorms may cause VRB winds at 10-20 kts, gusts up to 40 kts. For KTPH and KELY, active weather is not expected today with slight chance of VCSH this evening, however strong southerly gusty winds up to 15-20 kts, gusts as highs as 30-35 kts. A Wind Advisory is out over the central terminals until 9 pm tonight. Weather is expected to dissipate overnight, however there may still be some linger VCSH or -RA conditions over the terminals. More active weather expected to continue into tomorrow.

LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories

None.