textproduct: Reno

KEY MESSAGES

* Significant heat will impact outdoor activities each afternoon through the weekend, then cooler weather arrives next week.

* A low chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected each afternoon in the eastern Sierra and far western Nevada.

* Light haze from regional wildfires lingers into the weekend with increasing smoke near the Oregon border on Saturday.

DISCUSSION

Strong western ridging will extend our ongoing heatwave through the weekend, renewing 90-degree and triple digit highs (away from higher Sierra elevations) each day through Sunday. Temperatures will only fall to the mid 60s and low 70s each night through Sunday across western Nevada valleys, providing little to no relief from the heat after the sun goes down. Moreover, cloud debris from afternoon showers/storms may lead to slightly warmer nighttime lows, further compounding heat impacts. Make your weekend plans accordingly, be sure to take your heat safety precautions if your plans do take you outdoors during the day. High pressure finally weakens early next week, providing a much needed cooling trend that lowers temperatures closer to seasonal averages for much of next week.

Moisture advecting northward into the region, coupled with our continued heat, will support a low chance (10-20%) of showers and isolated thunderstorms this afternoon from the Tahoe Basin southward and along the Sierra Front. Forecast soundings reveal a deep, dry subcloud layer beneath this moisture, suggesting that strong outflow winds of 40-50 mph will be the main hazard. Low chances return to a similar area with the addition of Lassen/N Washoe County, but a more pronounced zephyr breeze decreases the likelihood of showers and storms around the Tahoe-Reno area. Daily chances of showers and storms continues early next week, favoring areas south of US-50.

Otherwise, winds will become breezy each afternoon this weekend into early next week, which may pose minor fire and recreation impacts. Light haze from regional wildfires will continue to linger, although a weak frontal passage is slated to increase smoke/haze concentration across areas near the Oregon border on Saturday.

-Salas

AVIATION

The primary weather concern today is a low chance (10-20%) of showers and isolated thunderstorms at all main terminals. Thunderstorm impacts are most likely at KMMH-KBAN-KTVL with higher uncertainty of potential impacts at KTRK-KRNO-KCXP-KMEV. Expect strong outflow gusts up to 45 kts, occasional lightning, and mountain obscuration to accompany thunderstorms. Otherwise, widespread VFR conditions and typical afternoon breezes prevail today.

-Salas

REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories

NV...Heat Advisory until 8 AM PDT Monday NVZ001-003-005.

Heat Advisory until 8 AM PDT this morning NVZ004.

Extreme Heat Warning from 8 AM this morning to 8 AM PDT Monday NVZ004.

CA...Heat Advisory until 8 AM PDT Monday CAZ070-071.