textproduct: Elko

KEY MESSAGES

* Breezy conditions throughout Northern and Central Nevada this afternoon into this evening

* Blowing dust may result in reduced visibilities today

* Low temperatures tonight will generally be in the low to mid 40s, with 30s possible in some localized areas

* Periods of rain late this weekend into early next week

DISCUSSION

(Today through next Wednesday)

WEATHER PATTERN OVERVIEW: An upper level low digging south from the Gulf of Alaska will approach the Pacific NW coast this afternoon, which will bring increasing clouds to much of northern Nevada along with a slight chance of light rain showers to far northern portions of Humboldt County. Otherwise dry across the CWA today and tonight. The approaching system will also produce breezy southwesterly winds across northern and central NV today. Strongest winds will be across Humboldt County and northern portions of Elko County where gusts of 30 to 40 mph are expected. Blowing dust is expected to reduce visibilities at times today across much of Humboldt County, Western Elko County, along with portions of Northern Lander and Eureka Counties. Reductions in visibility to 3 miles or less are possible in these areas, including portions of Interstate-80 at Winnemucca by late this morning, which may expand east toward Carlin and Elko by late this afternoon and early evening. Temperatures continue to trend cooler today with highs generally in the 70s. Low temperatures tonight will drop into the low to mid 40s for most locations, though some of the higher elevation valleys and areas bordering mountains such as Ruby Valley east of the Ruby Mountains may see lows dip into the low to mid 30s. The upper level low off the Pac NW coast today will continue it's SE trajectory tonight into Thursday. Light rain showers across northern portion of Humboldt County Thursday will expand slightly south and east Thursday night, with light rain shower activity reaching most of Humboldt County and far NW portions of Elko County. Winds Thursday afternoon will be breezy once again, with slightly higher winds expected across central NV. Winds across east-central NV approach low end advisory levels Friday afternoon, with sustained SW winds of 15 to 25 mph and gust to 45 mph in valley locations across White Pine County, with higher terrain likely reaching advisory level gusts. Dry across the CWA on Saturday. Moist and unstable air is looking more and more favorable for the southeastern third of the CWA Sunday afternoon, with showers potentially expanding north and west Sunday evening and night.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE & DEVIATIONS: Forecast confidence is high regarding a cooling trend today and tonight. Forecast confidence is slowly increasing regarding periods of rain late this weekend into early next week. No deviations from the NBM model output.

AVIATION

Gusty southwest winds will impact most of the region today, with areas of blowing dust expected to reduce visibilities at times to 3 miles or less mainly across northern Nevada. KWMC will have the highest chance of reduced visibilities today. Dry and storm-free conditions at all terminals today and tonight.

FIRE WEATHER

Isolated showers late this afternoon and early evening across the northern portion of fire weather zone 437, otherwise dry and storm- free. Southwesterly winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 20 to 30 mph are expected across all zones today. The main concern will be in zones 425, 426 and 427 where afternoon minimum RHs will lower into the 7 to 15% range resulting in elevated fire weather conditions through the mid-evening hours. The gusty winds are expected to result in areas of blowing dust which may reduce visibilities across much of northern NV, including Humboldt county where the Calico and McConnell wildfires continue.

LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories

None.