textproduct: Reno

KEY MESSAGES

* Dry and mild weather with hazy morning skies continues through Thursday.

* A Pacific storm will deliver strong winds, valley rain, and mountain snow Friday into Saturday.

* Additional storms may renew recreation and travel impacts next week.

DISCUSSION

Mild temperatures with dry conditions, light winds, and hazy mornings continue through Thursday. Afternoon temps may reach near 70 for lower valleys today, otherwise highs in the 60s before highs drop 10+ degrees between Thursday and Friday due to an incoming storm system.

This storm system will either bring wind or precip, depending where you're located. Strong wind gusts in excess of 45 mph will impact all of W NV and portions of NE CA, including the Surprise Valley, on Friday. As of now, there is at least a 40% chance of gusts exceeding 57 mph in far northern Washoe county and the Surprise Valley. This has resulted in the issuance of a High Wind Watch for those areas. Strong winds may impact Mono county Friday, as well, as the county is under an area of confluence (descending air) from the upper-level jet streak. For communities along the Sierra Front, bursts of wind may precede spillover rain showers. Regardless, expect impacts to travel for the Friday PM commute as well as for high profile vehicles. Make sure to heed any and all travel restrictions issued by NDOT and/or CalTrans.

Now for the precip. Winter Storm Watches are in effect for the Tahoe Basin and Mono county from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. Rain showers will move into NE CA by Friday afternoon, reaching the Tahoe Basin ahead of sunset and Mono county by 7-8pm. Snow levels start above 7500-8000' at the storm's onset, dropping to near 6000' by midnight (7000' for Mono county). The heaviest snowfall rates will occur late Friday night into early Saturday morning, with rates reaching 2+"/hr at times. Foothill communities above 6000' may see light accumulations by Saturday morning. If you must travel in and around the Sierra Friday or Saturday, take the next couple of days to ensure your winter supply kit is "up to snuff." This includes, but is not limited to, a shovel, warm clothing, tire chains, blankets, water, and snacks. Check road conditions as well via CalTrans QuickMap and NVRoads.

When it's not windy across W NV, expect rain showers from Friday evening through very early Saturday. Liquid totals range anywhere from 0.05-0.5" for the Basin and Range (low end) to NE CA (high end). As of now, there is a 60-80% chance for at least 0.25" of rain along the Sierra Front by Saturday afternoon. Locations along the Sierra of NE CA west and north of Lake Davis may see over 1" of rain; this may produce local ponding on roadways and in typical poor drainage areas.

Overall, this is a pretty quick moving system. Showers may linger along the Sierra through Saturday afternoon, but dry conditions are expected areawide by Saturday night. Sunday looks to be mostly dry before a second system arrives late Sunday night into early Monday morning. The details are a bit muddy but snow levels look lower, which could bring impacts to the Monday AM commute for Sierra communities.

-Giralte

AVIATION

* KRNO: VFR conditions with gusts up to 10-15 kts each afternoon through Thursday. Valley inversions continue each morning into Thursday, reducing slantwise visibilities.

* Elsewhere: VFR conditions for all terminals with light winds. Ridgetop winds are lighter today for all eastern Sierra terminals. Chances for wind shear by around Thur 09Z for KTRK and KTVL.

* For Friday evening into Saturday morning, confidence is increasing for the potential for higher elevation snow above 7,000 to 8,000 feet and valley rain showers. This may result in areas of MVFR/IFR in showers, mountain obscurations, low visibilities, and low ceilings.

* For Friday into Saturday, strong winds may materialize for all local terminals. This could result in areas of mountain waves, turbulence, and low level wind shear.

-McKellar

REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories

NV...High Wind Watch from Friday morning through Friday evening NVZ005.

Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 10 PM PST Friday NVZ001-003-004.

Winter Storm Watch from Friday morning through Saturday morning NVZ002.

CA...High Wind Watch from Friday morning through Friday evening CAZ070.

Wind Advisory from 10 AM to 10 PM PST Friday CAZ071.

Winter Storm Watch from Friday morning through Saturday morning CAZ072.

Winter Storm Watch from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning CAZ073.