Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Reno, NV
Issued by NWS Reno, NV
531 FXUS65 KREV 181931 AFDREV Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Reno NV 1231 PM PDT Fri Sep 18 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... * Dry and mild weather prevails through the weekend with periods of breezy east to northeast winds along the Sierra crest. * Low chances of rain and thunderstorms return to the eastern Sierra early next week. Warm and dry elsewhere. * Increased winds with low chances of rain and thunderstorms are favored late next week into next weekend. && .DISCUSSION... A mild and dry weather pattern remains in place through the weekend with temperatures warming to seasonal averages after today. East to northeast post-frontal breezes prevail through the weekend with winds becoming breezy at times along the Sierra crest. A change in wind direction should keep smoke from the Dome fire west of the Sierra, improving air quality in Mono and Mineral counties. A weak low pressure passage to our south will increase rain and thunderstorm potential between Sunday and Tuesday, with Monday standing out as the relatively more favorable day. However, this low appears to be devoid of much moisture, so rain chances are only 10- 20% and confined to the eastern Sierra south of Tahoe. Weak instability from surface heating may support isolated thunderstorms along the higher terrain in the afternoons, but chances of this are 10% or less. Elsewhere, dry weather persists with a warming trend culminating in above normal temperatures around midweek. Ensembles are keen on persistent troughing in the eastern Pacific late next week into next weekend, favoring windier and perhaps showery weather during this timeframe. Blended guidance corroborates this as the probability of seeing winds stronger than our typical zephyr breeze (i.e. 30+ mph gusts) steadily increases after Wednesday. Rain chances follow a similar trend, but the signal is less impressive. -Salas && .AVIATION... Widespread VFR conditions prevail today, accompanied by light north to northeast breezes in the afternoon. E-NE winds along and west of the Sierra crest will be breezy at times this weekend, which may pose minor mountain wave turbulence issues from the Sierra westward into California. -Salas && .REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NV...None. CA...None. && $$