Snow Squall Warning 1, NWS Elko, NV

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Elko NV
146 PM PST Fri Nov 13 2020

.SYNOPSIS...A winter system is moving through the region today
lasting into Saturday bringing showers and gusty winds. The
highest snow amounts are expected to be across much of Elko
county. Expect dry weather over central Nevada but still gusty and
cool. A weaker system will bring additional light snow along the
Nevada and Idaho border Sunday before drier and warmer conditions
settle into area for early next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...Tonight through Sunday.

Full longitude long wave trough cover most of North America with
broad short waves dragging along the southern part of it. Cool,
moist maritime air is streaming into the Great Basin from the
west-northwest. This is a good trajectory for mountain ranges
extending north-northeast to south-southwest, such as the Rubies,
etc. Most major ranges in the Great Basin run this direction.
While not perfectly orthogonal to the ranges there is enough
upslope to warrant a Winter Weather Advisory for Elko County, and
a Winter Storm Warning for the Ruby/East Humboldt Ranges. Other
Elko County ranges subject to enhanced snow amounts over a foot
will be the Jarbidge massif and the Independence Range. Higher
valleys such as parts of the areas along Highway 225 (Wildhorse
Reservoir) and US 93 north of Wells may also receive enhanced
amounts of 2-6 inches. Lower valleys will receive lower amounts,
or even mix with rain at times. Couple with occasional gusty winds
up to 50 mph, this will create adverse travel conditions in
various places and over summits, through Saturday morning.

A very weak ridge will move over the region Saturday before the
next short wave Saturday night into Sunday. This wave will produce
far less snow and be confined to mostly northern Elko and Humboldt
Counties. With temps climbing to the 30s and 40s in snow areas,
Saturday, expecting wet highways to refreeze Sunday morning for
more travel inconveniences. Sunday highs will be warmer than
Saturday, 30s to 50s.

.LONG TERM...Sunday night through next Friday.

Sunday night through Tuesday night a moderately strong but fast
moving upper ridge passes overhead for dry weather and a little
warmup, but then the next strong wave enters the West Coast and
heads inland. Models do not agree well on this trough, so pops are
conservative, temps indicate a mix of rain and snow, mostly over
northern Nevada, with low QPFs. The warm up is probably over as
temps drop again later in the week.

&&

.AVIATION...Bands of snow or rain/snow mix will cross northern
Nevada through about 15Z Saturday before diminishing and moving
east. Periods of MVFR to IFR visibility and ceilings will occur at
KBAM and KEKO, with less likelihood at KWMC. KELY and KTPH should
be dry. KELY has an outside chance of some VCSH or at least
visible from the airfield. Windy at all sites through about 06Z
but especially at KWMC and KEKO. Improving visibility and ceilings
Saturday with lower wind speeds. Expect icy runways and other
asphalt areas, and on some equipment.

&&

.LKN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Weather Advisory until 4 AM PST Saturday for Northern
Elko County-South Central Elko County-Southwest Elko County.

Wind Advisory until 1 AM PST Saturday for Humboldt County-
Northern Lander County and Northern Eureka County-Southern
Lander County and Southern Eureka County.

Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Saturday for Ruby Mountains
and East Humboldt Range.

&&

98/98/98