textproduct: Elko

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 1208 AM PST Wed Dec 31 2025

* Temperatures remain above normal through the weekend

* 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

UPDATE

Issued at 1208 AM PST Wed Dec 31 2025

Showers return to Central Nevada this evening, which will expand into Northern NV late this evening and overnight. Showers continue through Thursday evening, with the latest guidance increasing QPF amounts. Warm conditions will keep snow levels elevated, with valley rain and mountain snow ending Thursday night.

DISCUSSION

(This afternoon through next Tuesday)

WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW: Upper ridging has strengthened and situated over the western U.S., keeping quiet weather conditions over Nevada until the mid-week. Temperatures expected to gradually warm through the week with temperatures reaching back into the 40s and 50s. Low temperatures are also expected to gradually warm as well into the 30s. Winds will generally remain light and variable through the week.

By mid-week, the first of two low pressure troughs is expected to push north from Baja California into Nevada late New Years Eve. This system will bring in some tropical moisture from the south, extending north into northern Nevada by New Years Day. Chances of precipitation will increase up to 50-80% across the region with valleys potentially seeing up to 0.05-0.15 inches of rain. Due to warmer temperatures, much of the precipitation will fall as rain as snow levels will hover around 8500 feet, keeping snow on mountain tops. Winds expected to stay light from the south. This will be followed by a small break in weather Thursday night through Friday morning.

By Friday evening, the second of two low pressure troughs will enter the southwest from the Pacific coast. This system will also bring in some tropical moisture, but not as much as the the previous one. Much of the precipitation will be mainly along parts of US-50 corridor and throughout northern Nevada, with chances up to 30-60%. Central Nevada, mainly along US-50 corridor, could see up to 0.05 inches of rain, while northern Nevada could see up to 0.05-0.1 inches, with higher elevations up to 0.1 to 0.2 inches. This system will also bring in cooler temperatures, dropping highs into the 40s by Sunday with lows down into the 20s, however there is low confidence of valley snow as the warmer than normal temperatures will keep snow levels between 6500-7500 feet. Much of the mountain tops may see up to 0.5 inches of snow, while Ruby Mountains could see up to 4 inches. Winds with this system expected to elevate Friday evening into Saturday morning, then taper off by Saturday evening.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS: High confidence of warmer temperatures through the week.

High confidence of tropical system from the south moving into Nevada mid-week.

Moderate confidence of a second system moving over Nevada over the weekend.

Moderate confidence of cooler temperatures over the weekend.

Low confidence of valley snow during the next two weather systems.

AVIATION

VFR conditions are expected at all TAF terminals through at least 00Z Thursday. Showers spread up from the southwest this afternoon, reaching KTPH between 00Z and 06Z Thursday, and all terminals by 12Z Thursday. The valley rain and mountain snow will impact the region tonight through Thursday night, with periods of MVFR CIGs at all terminals.

LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories

None.