textproduct: Reno

KEY MESSAGES

* Dry and seasonable for today.

* Strong cold front brings winds and chances for snowfall Wednesday into Thursday. Widespread hard freezes likely Friday morning.

* Quiet weather and seasonable temperatures for the upcoming weekend, followed by another storm Monday-Tuesday next week.

DISCUSSION

* For today we'll have seasonable temperatures across the region with dry weather. We'll see an increase in high level clouds that are associated with the next storm system by the afternoon. Otherwise, after a chilly morning it will be a quiet, warm April day.

* The next storm system will impact the area Wednesday afternoon into Thursday. This system has a strong cold front, which will increase west, pre-frontal winds throughout the region. Latest guidance now shows a 30-70% chance for wind gusts of 45 mph or greater in western NV. As such, Wind Advisories have been issued for Wednesday for the Surprise Valley, northern Washoe, the Sierra Front including the greater Reno metro area, and the inner-basin and range. A Lake Wind Advisory is also in effect for Lake Tahoe as well.

* Per latest guidance, there is a 50-70% chance for precipitation by Wednesday morning for the Surprise Valley, Lassen, northern Washoe, Pershing, and Churchill counties. Other areas in western NV have around a 20-40% chance. Meanwhile, the Tahoe Basin has around a 40-60% chance of precipitation by Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning. Mono and Mineral counties have a lower (10-25%) chance for precipitation. This is not looking like a major precipitation maker. QPF amounts are generally between zero to around 0.25", and there is still a 20-40% chance for measurable snowfall in the Sierra. * As the front moves through the area, strong north to northwest winds will develop on Thursday. The strongest gusts are still looking to be in Mineral, Lyon, and Mono counties. This will also possibly lead to new Wind Advisories for those areas, especially for any north-south aligned terrain.

* After the front exits the area on Thursday, Friday morning is setting up to be a very cold morning (for mid-April standards). The urban areas, like Reno, have a 50% chance for temperatures dropping to 28 degrees or below. But outside of any urban areas, there is a likely (>60%) chance for temperatures of 28 degrees or colder. Any early season vegetation and irrigation systems would need to be protected ahead of time. * After the Wed-Thur storm system, conditions will be calm for Friday and Saturday. Temperatures will increase back to seasonal readings by Friday through the weekend. Sunday will become windy again ahead of the storm system that will move into the area on Monday into Tuesday. This system will also bring cooler temperatures and chances for precipitation. -McKellar

AVIATION

* Freezing fog will continue in KTRK through around 16Z. Other favored valleys that had precipitation over the past weekend also have a chance for FZFG this morning. * We'll have mostly VFR with SCT high clouds associated with the next storm system. Westerly winds will get a little gusty in the afternoon, with gusts under 20 knots.

* Wednesday will see increased aviation impacts from winds, LLWS, and mountain wave turbulence as that storm and strong cold front approach the area. -McKellar

REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories

NV...Wind Advisory from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Wednesday NVZ003>005.

Lake Wind Advisory from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Wednesday NVZ002.

CA...Wind Advisory from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Wednesday CAZ070.

Lake Wind Advisory from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Wednesday CAZ072.