


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Reno, NV
Issued by NWS Reno, NV
928 FXUS65 KREV 160840 AFDREV Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Reno NV 140 AM PDT Mon Jun 16 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... * Winds increase this afternoon with areas of critical fire weather conditions. * Typical June temperatures and dry weather prevail through Tuesday, with moderate HeatRisk returning by Wednesday and Thursday. * Stronger winds and cooler conditions return by the end of this week, with below average temperatures through the weekend. && .DISCUSSION... The main weather feature today will be an upper level trough passage across the region, bringing increased winds and dry conditions with impacts to recreation, travel and fire weather (more details in Fire Weather section below). Gusts of 30-40 mph are most likely across areas near and south of I-80 this afternoon and evening, with stronger gusts around 45 mph for parts of the eastern Sierra and into Mineral County and Sierra ridge gusts of 50+ mph. While this trough passage will be largely dry, a couple stray showers or lightning strikes may occur in the northern portion of Lassen County and near the OR border. This probability remains low (around 5-10%) as a majority of the guidance favors better chances for this activity staying north of the OR border. After this trough passage, a weaker west flow will set up over CA-NV on Tuesday as a high pressure ridge remains over northern Mexico, resulting in lighter winds and a warm day with highs near 90 in lower elevations and 80 for Sierra valleys. This ridge then amplifies slightly on Wednesday over the Great Basin producing a quick warmup with highs peaking in the mid-upper 90s for western NV and NE CA valleys, while Sierra communities reach the mid 80s. This is around 10 degrees above average with HeatRisk rising to moderate levels in lower elevations. Thursday also looks to have similar heat, although the arrival of a stronger low pressure to the west coast will bring a notably cooler change as we get to next weekend. While some variation remains among the ensemble guidance with the evolution of this next system, the most likely scenario brings the first wave through CA-NV on Thursday with winds kicking up, then the deeper main low moves inland Friday-Saturday. The main impacts will be from stronger winds especially on Friday as the cold front moves into CA-NV, with probability for gusts exceeding 40 mph in the 60-90% range across most areas. Temperatures look to drop sharply for the upcoming weekend, with highs ranging from the mid 70s-lower 80s for lower elevations and 60s for Sierra communities and areas near the OR border, which would represent about a 20-25 degree drop from the midweek heat. Most areas likely remain dry, but parts of northeast CA and far northwest NV may see chances for rain showers by late Friday night and Saturday. MJD && .AVIATION... Stronger winds return today with the passage of a dry cold front, especially for western NV terminals southward to KMMH. Sustained west/southwest winds 15-20 kts with gusts around 30 kts in the late morning will turn slowly northwest during the day. Periods of LLWS are likely through late morning, with mountain wave turbulence continuing through this evening. Much lighter winds are expected for Tuesday, with the next period of increased winds likely for Thursday-Friday. Otherwise, VFR conditions prevail through at least midweek. MJD && .FIRE WEATHER... Red Flag Warnings remain in effect this afternoon and evening for the Sierra Front of far western NV southward to northern Mono County, and the Lahontan Basin. Poor humidity recoveries this morning (mainly 20-30%) will already set the stage for several hours of critical fire weather conditions when winds increase to southwest-west 15-25 mph with peak gusts 35-45 mph, while afternoon humidity drops to 5-13% range in the warning areas (driest in western NV). Areas adjacent to the warning, especially Pershing and southern Mono counties, could also see similar dry and windy conditions, and may also be added today, depending on the determined extent of sufficiently dry vegetation. For the final few hours of the warning, winds will become more west to northwest behind the trough passage. There remains a 5-10% chance for showers or thunderstorms in far northeast CA-northwest NV between 3 and 7 PM today, which could produce erratic wind gusts up to 35 mph and a few lightning strikes. Our next period of concern starts on Thursday into next weekend, with Friday appearing to be the day with the highest risk. A stronger upper level system passing through brings gusty winds, likely stronger than today. Those winds coupled with a long stretch of very dry conditions will increase the fire weather risk again. MJD && .REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NV...Red Flag Warning from 1 PM to 11 PM PDT Monday NVZ420-421-429. Lake Wind Advisory from 1 PM to 10 PM PDT Monday NVZ001-003-004. CA...Lake Wind Advisory from 1 PM to 10 PM PDT Monday CAZ073. && $$