textproduct: Reno

KEY MESSAGES

* Gusty southwest winds of 30-40 mph with Sierra ridgetop gusting upwards of 70-80 mph this afternoon.

* Isolated light rain and mountain snow showers across far northeast California today and tomorrow with dry conditions for the remainder of the area through Thursday.

* Increasing chances for unsettled weather, cooler temperatures, and widespread precipitation late week into the weekend.

DISCUSSION

Wind gusts along the highest peaks of the Tahoe Basin have already exceeded 70 mph today. These gusts will decrease throughout the day, but will remain over 50 mph until sunset. Valley winds range from 30-40 mph today, producing 2-4 feet wave heights on Lake Tahoe and 1-3 feet on Pyramid Lake. As such, a Lake Wind Advisory is in effect until 6pm tonight. Today will be the windiest day of the week, with calmer conditions Tuesday and beyond.

Light showers along the OR border today have dissipated, though there are additional chances (10-15%) in the same area tomorrow morning. Snow levels are around 6000 ft for the Warner Mountains so any precip that falls west of the Surprise Valley will be snow. Confidence in accumulations remains low as it depends where these isolated showers will develop.

Dry conditions prevail for the remainder of the area through at least Thursday, with afternoon highs in the low to mid 60s for valleys and low to mid 50s for Sierra communities. An incoming pattern change Friday and into the weekend will produce cooler temperatures and showery conditions as a low drops off the coast of the PacNW. However, there is plenty of model disagreement on just how wet this system may be with rainfall totals ranging from 0 inches to 0.25-0.75 inches. Snow levels may drop as low as 5000 ft Saturday afternoon (10th percentile), with the 50th percentile (most likely scenario) showing snow levels around 6000 ft from the Tahoe Basin northward, with 7000 ft and higher for Mono county. Have weekend plans? Make sure to bundle up and dress accordingly for cool and showery conditions!

-Giralte

AVIATION

VFR conditions continue today with mostly clear skies. However, strong winds (50+ kts) along the Sierra crest will produce mountain wave turbulence and periodic LLWS through the evening. Southwest gusts across the Sierra and Sierra Front will range from 25-35 kt mainly until 03Z Tuesday. Winds will taper off late tonight, becoming light.

-Giralte/Justin

REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories

NV...Lake Wind Advisory until 6 PM PDT this evening NVZ002>004.

CA...Lake Wind Advisory until 6 PM PDT this evening CAZ071>073.