National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

• Home
• Site Map
• News
• Organization
• Search for: NWS All NOAA 

000
FXUS65 KLKN 231022
AFDLKN

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Elko NV
322 AM PDT Tue Apr 23 2024

.SYNOPSIS...Period of active weather including breezy to gusty
winds begins today with rain showers and thunderstorms, which
become more widespread Wednesday. Higher probabilities for
accumulating rainfall expected Thursday and Friday. Weather
remains unsettled into early next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...Today through Wednesday Night

Southwest flow aloft continues as a cut off low moves east toward
the California coast. Generally light winds are expected across
northern Nevada with afternoon breezes across central Nevada,
gusts around 25 mph. Isolated to scattered rain showers and
isolated thunderstorms will be present today across most of the
forecast area, though accumulations will be light around 0.10" or
less. Main concerns will be lightning and localized gusty winds
associated with thunderstorms. A few rain showers linger overnight
but overall activity dissipates. Daytime high temperatures range
in the mid 60s to mid 70s with overnight lows in the mid 30s to
mid 40s.

Increased rain shower and thunderstorm activity Wednesday as a
modest boundary moves thru the forecast area from the northwest as
the upper low moves onshore over southern California. Latest
numerical guidance depicts a band of enhanced rain showers and
thunderstorms stretching from northwest Nye County to northern
Elko County. The highest precipitaion totals are forecast to
reside in this region with valley totals tallying between 0.10"
and 0.25". Liquid totals across the high terrain indicated to be
around 0.50". Main concerns Wednesday will again be lightning and
localized gusty winds associated with thunderstorms. Some concern
also for sharp rises in faster responding streams and creeks under
prolonged or heavier rain showers, especially with flowages
running high thanks to seasonal snow melt. Isolated showers linger
overnight but overall activity again dissipates. Afternoon
breezes throughout the forecast area will also be present with
gusts 20 to 25 mph. Daytime high temperatures reside in the low
60s to low 70s with overnight lows in the low 30s to low 40s.

&&

.LONG TERM...Thursday through Tuesday

A series of storm systems associated with a large scale troughing
pattern across the western U.S. will continue Thursday onward,
bringing more widespread rain and mountain snow to the area.
Timing and areal coverage of precipitation is expected to change,
but ensemble guidance suggests a busy pattern to continue into
next weekend. Rain accumulations across the state will range from
0.25” to 1.25” for the valleys and passes. The mountain ranges
above 8000 feet could see up to 12 inches of snow through Monday
of next week. Temperatures cool down with highs in the upper 50s
to low 60s, with breezy conditions each afternoon. Isolated to
scattered showers may persist mainly across northern NV early next
week, while dry conditions expected for the rest of the CWA.

&&

.AVIATION...VFR conditions expected at all terminals over the
next 24 hours. Afternoon cumulus cloud build-ups will be more
widespread today, with VCTS at KBAM and KEKO where there is a 15%
chance of TS activity. There will be a 10% chance of TS at KWMC
and KTPH, with a 5% chance of TS at KELY this afternoon, though no
mention of TS in any of these three TAFs. Any showers that do
develop today are expected to have very light QPF amounts,
possibly only virga.

KWMC is AMD NOT SKED due to communication disruption.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...Many streams, creeks, and rivers across northern and
central Nevada continue to observe elevated flows. Period of
active weather including valley and mid-elevation rain showers
are forecast beginning today and are to persist thru the
remainder of the week. Wetting rains are expected and awareness
should be exercised for sharp rises in faster responding streams
and creeks under prolonged or heavier rain showers, especially
with flowages running high thanks to seasonal snow melt. Cooler
temperatures are also expected for the second half of the week,
which will likely slow high elevation snow melt.

The Bruneau River is currently in action stage, nearing minor
flood stage. The river will likely rise further in the coming
days.

The Humboldt River at Battle Mountain is currently in action
stage and is expected to continue to reside in action stage for
the next several days.

The Owyhee River near Wildhorse is currently in action stage and
expected to gradually rise in the coming days. The river is forecast
to reach minor flood stage in the Thursday timeframe.

The Owyhee River near Mountain City is currently in minor flood
stage. The river is forecast to remain in minor flood stage over
the next several days.

Wildhorse Dam is currently in action stage and is expected to
continue to reside in action stage for the next several days.

The Humboldt River at Comus is currently in action stage and is
expected to continue to reside in action stage for the next
several days.

&&

.LKN Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
None.

&&

$$

92/90/96