524 FXUS65 KREV 032101 AFDREV Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Reno NV 201 PM PDT Thu Jul 3 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... * Critical fire weather conditions, gusty winds, along with shower and thunderstorm chances are expected this afternoon and evening. * Temperatures will cool to below seasonal averages for Independence Day, with precipitation chances confined to northeast California. * A gradual warming trend begins Saturday through early next week. && .DISCUSSION... Upper level trough passing through the region starting this afternoon through tomorrow brings gusty winds and elevated to critical fire weather conditions. Gusty winds are expected to start early this afternoon across portions of western Nevada, the Sierra and northeast California. Winds speeds from the west and southwest between 15-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph while wind prone areas may reach gusts up to 45 to 50 mph. These winds will bring impacts to aviation and recreational activities, especially in the lakes, this afternoon and evening. Blowing dust is also a concern over the NV Basin and Range, and Mineral county, especially near I-80 and US-50. Showers and thunderstorms in the area may further complicate impacts created by blowing dust. Chances for storms, around 10-30%, later today are focused over NE CA and the NV Basin and Range generally between 1 PM to 2 AM. Tomorrow (Independence Day), rain and storm chances appear to be confined mostly to NE CA and NW NV near the OR border. Storm chances are relatively the same around 10-30% again. Therefore, the main concern tomorrow is still wind. Westerly winds up to 30-35 mph and gusts up to 45-50 mph in wind prone areas are likely. However, the duration of winds appears to be quite short. Anyway, aviation and recreational interests should pay attention to weather conditions near peak heating time between 2PM - 6PM, when the strongest winds of the day are expected. The good news for tomorrow is that afternoon highs will be significantly cooler compared to today. Temperatures will be around 5 to 15 degrees below average for early July. Western NV and NE CA afternoon highs will be in the 80s to around 90, while the Sierra communities drop to the 60s and 70s. This weekend, a high pressure area develops over the Desert Southwest that will contribute to dry conditions and a gradual warm up. The high pressure area slowly retrogrades from the Four Corners back towards the Las Vegas area next week. This will bring back well above average afternoon temperatures for the second week of July. By mid-week, the possibility of reaching the century mark returns for the lower valleys in the NV Basin and Range with a 60-80% chance. -HC && .AVIATION... VFR conditions are anticipated for most of the CWA. The exception is in areas near the OR border and Pershing/Churchill/Mineral Counties (KLOL-KHTH) as there are 20-30% chances of showers and thunderstorms between 03/20Z through 04/09Z. Primary hazards from storms include gusty/erratic winds and occasional lightning. Otherwise, westerly to southwesterly afternoon winds gusting up to around 30 kts. LLWS and turbulence are likely after 06Z this evening. -078/HC && .FIRE WEATHER... Elevated to critical conditions are still expected for the rest of this afternoon and evening. West to southwest winds between 15-25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph and wind prone areas with gusts up to 45 mph along with min RH below 15%. The main areas of concern continue to be western NV. Portions of NE CA and the lower elevations of the Sierra will have similar conditions. Therefore, the Red Flag Warning continues to be in effect through midnight. Potential for isolated dry lightning is expected this afternoon for the northern portions of Washoe county and northeast CA. The eastern half of Pershing, Churchill and Mineral county has a 10-30% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms. For Independence Day, elevated to critical fire weather conditions are possible again due to breezy westerly winds and low minimum relative humidity values in the forecast during the afternoon hours. However, the duration of elevated to critical conditions appears to be brief, and only over isolated portions of northern Washoe, the southwestern portions of the NV Basin and Range, and the southeastern Sierra Front. -HC/078 && .REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NV...Red Flag Warning from noon today to midnight PDT tonight NVZ420- 421-423-429-458. Lake Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 8 PM PDT this evening NVZ002-004. CA...Red Flag Warning from noon today to midnight PDT tonight CAZ278. Lake Wind Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 8 PM PDT this evening CAZ072-073. && $$ |