textproduct: Reno

KEY MESSAGES

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

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

DISCUSSION

A strong high pressure system over the Pacific between 140-150W will allow a chilly low pressure system drop into the Pacific northwest today and over northern Nevada Saturday. This will produce gusty to strong winds and drag a cold front across the far northern Sierra, northeast CA and northwest NV late Saturday into Sunday.

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) Friday and Saturday with very minimal decrease winds winds Friday night and early Saturday. Winds arrive Friday morning by 10-11 AM, with gusty to strong winds kicking up before 10 AM Saturday. There is a 10-15% 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 80 mph Saturday. Winds will lead to many dangers, please be fire aware and drop your boating plans especially Saturday. Dust will kick up from dry lake beds and may reduce visibility along I-80, US-50, and US-95.

This system does't have a lot of moisture associated with it, but the strength of the system will overcome the lack of moisture. Simulations are producing a 20-30% chance of light showers ahead of the system today for the Sierra Crest near Tahoe, northern Lassen and Washoe Counties, and eastern portions of Pershing, Churchill, and Mineral Counties. There is a higher chance (50-70%) for showers and a thunderstorm or two along the cold front Saturday. However, the lack of moisture and fast pace of the front should limit rainfall amounts to less than 0.25 inch.

Behind the system much cooler temperatures arrive for Sunday where NV valleys may struggle to reach 70 degrees, with 50s and 60s for the Sierra. Afternoon highs quickly return to the 70s and 80s with dry conditions and afternoon breezes for next week. Brong

AVIATION

Low pressure moves into the west coast today, reaching northern Nevada Saturday. Mountain wave turbulence will impact arrivals and departures with surface gusts of 25-45 kts at terminals today and Saturday. Mountain top winds reach 50-70 kts.

LLWS is possible Saturday for the terminals including KRNO as a cold front passes through northern Nevada Saturday. Brief showers along the cold front may also lower ceilings to MVFR. Brong

FIRE WEATHER

Red Flag conditions for western NV today and Saturday with wind gusts of 30-50 mph and dry fuels. Gusty winds will surface as early as 9-11 AM today with very minimal decrease in winds Friday night and early Saturday morning. Winds may briefly exceed 50 mph Saturday as the low pressure system passes across northern Nevada. Showers and a thunderstorm or two will accompany the system Saturday, but wetting rains will be limited or non-existant.

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

Cooler temperatures and light winds arrive Sunday, but dry and warm weather quickly returns Monday. Brong

REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories

NV...Red Flag Warning from 11 AM Friday to 11 PM PDT Saturday NVZ420.

Lake Wind Advisory from 11 AM Friday to 11 PM PDT Saturday NVZ001>004.

Red Flag Warning from 11 AM Friday to 11 PM PDT Saturday NVZ423- 429.

CA...Lake Wind Advisory from 11 AM Friday to 11 PM PDT Saturday CAZ071>073.