textproduct: Reno

KEY MESSAGES

* Warmer and drier conditions return late this week, with light winds and valley inversions through at least Saturday.

* Another system arrives as early as this weekend, continuing into early next week.

* Flooding concerns have diminished but flows will remain elevated through the rest of the week.

DISCUSSION

Showers are diminishing across the Sierra today, though cloud cover will continue to hug the higher terrain. High pressure will set back up over the region through the end of the work week, bringing warmer temperatures, light winds, and valley inversions. As of now, there is a 50% chance Reno could reach or exceed 70 degrees Saturday. Meanwhile, locations around the Basin and Range have a 60-80% chance of surpassing 70 degrees Saturday. Are we sure it's February?

The aforementioned valley inversions will allow for freezing fog to develop across fog-prone Sierra valleys. However, cloud cover seems to stick around this week, which may inhibit extensive fog development.

Looking towards the weekend, another storm system moves in off the coast of California. This storm will bring high snow levels (currently forecast above 9000') and light rain showers. Additionally, expect ridgetop winds to increase ahead of the storm system. The trajectory of the low pressure has a bit of a negative tilt to it, which is hinting at increased instability, primarily for NE CA. This could bring isolated thunderstorms to the area, though confidence remains low at this time.

-Giralte

AVIATION

VFR conditions expected for all terminals today. However, mountain obscurations will linger through the rest of today for all terminals as well. Winds may remain elevated through this afternoon but are expected to return to light and variable for all terminals by this evening. Additionally, there is a 30% chance for FZFG development around KTRK from 09-16Z.

-Giralte

HYDROLOGY

High flows continue thanks to ongoing warm temperatures, wet soils, and actively melting snowpack conditions at mid and lower elevations. Some out of bank flows are expected to continue through the day before receding very slowly.

Expect flows to remain elevated with warm temperatures continuing to melt mid and what remains of lower elevations snow. Even modest rains may lead to additional rises over the weekend, but no new flooding is currently forecast.

For updated river forecasts, please visit: www.cnrfc.noaa.gov.

-TB

REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories

NV...None. CA...None.