textproduct: Elko

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1234 PM PST Wed Dec 31 2025

* Potential for freezing rain overnight tonight into Thursday morning

* Winds will be relatively light today, with afternoon gusts trending higher into the weekend

* Valley rain and mountain snow this evening through Thursday

* Dry on Friday, with more showers this weekend into next week

DISCUSSION

(This evening through next Tuesday)

WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW: An active weather pattern is in store for the Silver State into next week as a series of shortwaves and weather systems impact the region. A very meridional pattern pushes the ridge overhead on Wednesday to the east this evening. Immediately replacing the ridge is a shortwave riding southwest flow in a larger ULT. Sub-tropical moisture advecting from the south will interact with the wave to increase precipitation chances across central and northern NV beginning later this evening. Precipitation is forecast to be mainly valley rain and mountain snow through Thursday, though there is a wrinkle of freezing rain in the forecast. Portions of eastern and southeastern Elko County, as well as isolated spots in Humboldt County are sporting sounding profiles that contain warm noses near the surface late this evening into the new year. Based on the early morning timing and lack of winter weather impacts so far this season a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for freezing rain in southern and eastern Elko County tonight. Hazardous driving conditions may occur along I-80, US-93 and local roads that will impact the Thursday morning commute.

Forcing and well above average moisture availability (PW's of 0.55-0.65 inches) will make this New Years system a wet one for the region. Snow accumulations of 8-12 inches will be confined to elevations above 6000 feet. Central NV rainfall amounts of 0.10-0.25 are possible through Thursday with northern NV seeing potentially more as amounts will range 0.2-0.5 inches.

Friday will be a brief respite from active weather though winds will begin to increase Friday evening. A tightening pressure gradient overhead will increase southwesterly wind speeds Saturday as a larger trough begins to encroach on the Great Basin. Precipitation chances increase Saturday through Monday though moisture availability isn't quite as robust with this trough thanks to some Sierra scouring. QPF probs and storm totals bear this out though latest model runs do show an increase in snow and areal coverage early next week. The parent trough finally pushes through the area Tuesday with brisk zonal flow pushing into the area by later next week.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS: High confidence remains in light winds, valley rain, and mountain snow through Thursday. Ice was added to the Wx grids as up to 40% probabilities of freezing rain are possible tonight and Thursday morning for portions of northern NV, specifically Humboldt, and eastern and southern Elko Counties.

AVIATION

VFR conditions on Wednesday will degrade overnight as -SHRA and -SHSN activity spread south to north across the region impacting all terminals. Precipitation and low CIGs beginning late Wednesday evening will create periods of MVFR and IFR conditions at all terminals through Thursday afternoon. Southerly winds will remain light through the period.

LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories

Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to 8 AM PST Thursday NVZ033-038-039.