textproduct: Reno

KEY MESSAGES

* Gusty to strong winds today will lead to critical fire weather conditions. Remain fire aware.

* Winds today will also result in dangerous boating conditions, areas of blowing dust, outdoor recreation impacts, and cross winds for high profile vehicles. * Much cooler weather continues into Monday with shower and thunderstorm chances north of Highway 50.

DISCUSSION

A strong high pressure system over the Pacific along 150W will maintain a north-northwest flow into the west coast. Our weather system for today remains on track to bring impactful winds across much of the Sierra and western Nevada with shower and thunderstorm activity north of Highway 50. Main change we are seeing in the simulations is the Pacific ridge will continue to push weather systems southward from the Gulf of Alaska into the Pacific northwest and northern Great Basin early next week. This may lessen the warm up and bring additional shower activity for the start of next week.

For Today, Winds are the primary weather threat with impacts to fire weather (see below), recreation, and travel. Wind gusts in lower elevations climb to 30-45 mph (70-90% chance) again this morning and diminish after 10-11 PM this evening. There is a 10% chance winds reach 50-60 mph in wind prone locations along US-395/I-580, foothills of Reno-Carson-Douglas-Lyon, and the VC Highlands. Mountain top winds will exceed 50 mph today and peak near 70-80 mph. Winds will lead to many dangers, please be fire aware and forgo any boating plans today. Dust will kick up from dry lake beds and reduce visibility along I-80, US-50, and US-95. Showers and a thunderstorm or two continue across the Surprise Valley and the northern portions of Lassen and Washoe Counties to start the day. Shower activity drops south toward I-80/US-50 late this afternoon into this evening. Rain/snow lines dip to 7000-8000 feet tonight, can't rule out (10-20% chance) of light snow accumulations on mountain tops.

For Sunday, plan on a dry day with chilly north-northwest winds as NV valley highs struggle to reach 70 degrees. Sierra communities will remain in the mid 50s to mid 60s. Morning lows Sunday and Monday will drop into the 30s and perhaps a degree or two below freezing for the Sierra. Rural NV valleys may also see morning lows in the mid-upper 30s.

Latest simulations have a cooler start to next week as cooler weather systems to drop into the Pacific Northwest and northern Great Basin. Showers may return Monday, but for now only appears to be a 10-20% chance with highs in the 60s and 70s. Winds may also turn gusty later next week which could raise fire weather concerns again. Brong

AVIATION

Low pressure will settle over northern Nevada today with mountain wave turbulence impacting arrivals and departures. Peak surface gusts of 25-45 kts at terminals today, with mountain top winds of 50-70 kts. LLWS is possible after 21z today for the terminals including KRNO as a cold front passes through the region. Showers along and north of a line from KTVL-KNFL may also lower ceilings to MVFR.

For Sunday, winds turn to the north and northwest with 20-30kts across western NV and the eastern Sierra terminals. Brong

FIRE WEATHER

Red Flag conditions continue for western NV today with wind gusts of 30-50 mph and dry fuels. Shower and thunderstorm chances will accompany the system today, starting out well north of I-80 and dropping as far south as Highway 50 this evening and early tonight. Outside of Lassen and northern Washoe counties wetting rains will be limited or non-existent.

The Tahoe Basin and eastern Sierra in Mono County will have winds of 30-50 mph and up to 80 mph over ridges today. However, fuels have not been reported to be critically dry, though fire may quickly spread in pockets of dry fuels.

Cooler temperatures and lighter winds arrive Sunday and Monday. Brong

REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories

NV...Red Flag Warning until 11 PM PDT Saturday NVZ420.

Lake Wind Advisory until 11 PM PDT Saturday NVZ001>004.

Red Flag Warning until 11 PM PDT Saturday NVZ423-429.

CA...Lake Wind Advisory until 11 PM PDT Saturday CAZ071>073.