textproduct: Elko

KEY MESSAGES

* Near record heat in most of northern and central Nevada each afternoon through Sunday.

* Moderate risk of heat-related illnesses for heat-sensitive groups each afternoon through Sunday.

* Above normal temperatures will persist into at least the middle of next week.

* Smoke from area wildfires to lead to reduced air quality and may lead to respiratory issues over northern Nevada today.

* Elevated fire weather conditions across portions of northern Nevada this weekend.

DISCUSSION

(Today through next Saturday)

WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW: High pressure centered over the Desert Southwest will keep temperatures well above normal today. Highs this afternoon will reach upper 90s to low 100s, which will be near-record to record heat for many locations. Heat Advisories are in effect this afternoon and evening across most of Northern and Central Nevada. Smoke from regional wildfires will reduce air quality across portions of Central and Northern Nevada. Smoke from the Ward Fire just south of Ely may impact Ely and the surrounding towns as winds late this morning and afternoon increase out of the south-southwest.

Trough energy moving through the Pacific NW Sunday through Tuesday will weaken the high pressure over the Great Basin slightly, which will provide a few degrees of cooling relief to Northern and Central NV. Temperatures will however remain above normal. High pressure rebuilds over the region Wednesday through the remainder of next week, with afternoon highs climbing back up into the upper 90s to low 100s. No convection or precipitation is expected in the CWA for at least a week.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS:

High confidence in hot and dry weather continuing through the weekend and into the early part of next week. High forecast confidence regarding a moderate risk of heat-related illnesses for heat-sensitive groups each afternoon through Sunday. High forecast confidence in above normal temperatures persisting into at least the middle of next week. Medium confidence in elevated to near- critical fire weather conditions across northern Nevada during the afternoon periods Saturday through Monday with timing of strongest wind gusts coinciding with minimum RH values remaining more uncertain.

AVIATION

Smoke from regional wildfires will result in periods of hazy skies today. KELY may see VIS drop below 5SM due to smoke from a nearby wildfire late this morning through this afternoon as southerly winds increase. Otherwise, mostly sunny/clear with VFR conditions today and tonight.

FIRE WEATHER

Temperatures continue to trend warmer today, with near-record to record heat. Highs this afternoon will reach upper 90s to low 100s. Winds this afternoon across Central NV will be southwest at 5 to 10 mph gusting 15 to 20 mph. For much of Northern NV winds this afternoon will be stronger, generally west at 10 to 15 with peak gusts of 15 to 25 mph. Elevated fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon across the northern portions of Fire Weather Zones 437, 438 and 469 with westerly winds of 10 to 20 mph and gusts of 20 to 30 mph in combination with minimum afternoon RHs around 5 percent.

Gusty winds and low humidity will result in elevated fire weather conditions across portions of northern Nevada Sunday afternoon and evening. Winds on Sunday across fire weather zones 437, 438, 469 and 470 will become northerly at 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 20 to 30 mph. Stronger wind gusts to 35 mph are possible across mainly the northern half of fire weather zone 470. Winds across northern NV subside late Sunday night. Winds across northern NV on Monday will be northerly at 5 to 12 mph gusting 15 to 20 mph.

LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories

Heat Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 10 PM PDT this evening NVZ031-033>041.