Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Reno, NV

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858 FXUS65 KREV 100904 AFDREV Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Reno NV 204 AM PDT Fri May 10 2024 .SYNOPSIS...
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A warming trend continues across the Sierra and western Nevada with above average temperatures expected by this weekend. The potential for showers and thunderstorms also returns to the Sierra this afternoon with slight chances through the weekend and into early next week.
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&& .DISCUSSION...
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The latest RAP analysis shows an upper air low over NV/UT and just east of the CWA causing a northeasterly flow over the CWA this morning. Current satellite imagery and surface observations report variable winds across the region with some broken high clouds moving through Churchill, Mineral and Mono Counties while the remainder of the CWA sees mostly clear skies. Model guidance shows the northeasterly flow over the CWA continuing through the rest of today as the upper air low moves southward to over the AZ/NV/UT border and an upper air ridge progresses over the Pacific Northwest. Down below, models project a surface low moving into the San Francisco area during the afternoon which will allow for east-northeasterly winds in the northern half of the CWA and north-northeasterly winds in the southern half that may gust up to around 25 mph. While dry conditions are expected for most of the region, portions of the region in Mono and Mineral counties see a 10-15% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms during the late afternoon and evening with light snow possible for the highest elevations. Not much moisture is anticipated with these precipitation chances. As for today`s temperature forecast, daytime high temperatures look to range between the middle to upper 50s in the Sierra crest and the middle 70s in western NV. Overnight low temperatures expect to be in the 30s and 40s with higher elevations being slightly colder. Looking to the weekend, model guidance projects the forward portion of the aforementioned ridge to move over the CWA by Saturday afternoon as the upper air low progresses eastward over the Four Corners region. The axis of this upper air ridge is forecast to move over the CWA on Sunday afternoon as a weak trough proceeds into the Pacific Northwest with a weak upper air low feature west of southern CA making an appearance over the Pacific Ocean. At the surface, chances for precipitation look to have tapered off a bit in the latest model runs though there may be a 10% chance or less for isolated showers and thunderstorms in the Sierra on Saturday followed by a slight increase to 10-15% on Sunday afternoon. The warming trend is expected to persist with some portions of the region seeing daytime highs around the 80 degree mark on Saturday and then up to the middle 80s on Mother`s Day. It may be a pleasant weekend for some outdoor activities, but please stay weather aware in case this changes. For the new work week, forecast guidance depicts the Pacific Northwestern trough progressing eastward and clipping the northern portion of the CWA as it passes on Monday morning. At the same time, the low to the southwest continues a trek eastward across southern CA on Monday with both it and the trough making their way east and past the CWA on Tuesday morning. Models than show north-northwesterly flow over the CWA with these features having passed by with an larger upper air ridge trailing them on Tuesday. On Wednesday, ensemble guidance continues to show the ridge dominating the pattern over the western CONUS. Some solution differences are seen on Thursday and Friday with the latest run of the GFS Ensemble showing a western ridge and eastern trough pattern over the CONUS. The ECMWF and Canadian Ensembles however both show a potential Canadian low suppressing the western ridge later in the week instead causing a zonal flow over the CWA. With this upper air pattern evolution aloft, a slight chance (10-20%) for precipitation may be seen during Monday afternoon and evening for southern portions of the region with the remainder staying dry as the above normal temperatures continue. There looks to be a weak cold front passing through the region early Tuesday morning, but daytime temperatures look to rebound quickly by Tuesday afternoon as highs in the 70s and 80s do look to continue. The warming trend is currently forecast to resume on Wednesday along with region-wide dry conditions and continue through Friday though will continue to monitor ensembles for better agreement going forward. -078
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&& .AVIATION...
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VFR conditions will continue at all TAF sites to end the week. For expected winds, breezy easterly afternoon winds will develop later this morning and into the afternoon before shifting to lighter flow on Saturday. The more typical west winds are slated to return on Sunday afternoon. Breezes will remain in the 20-25 kt range each afternoon through the weekend, with the lightest winds on Saturday. As for precipitation chances, most TAF sites look to stay mostly dry going into the weekend with the exception of KMMH that may see a slight chance (10-15%) for isolated showers late this afternoon and Sunday afternoon with lesser chances on Saturday. -078
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&& .REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NV...None. CA...None. && $$