Severe Thunderstorm Warning 22, NWS Reno, NV

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
155 PM PDT Tue Aug 12 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

* The heat peaks today with cooler weather in store late this week
  and over the weekend.

* Showers and thunderstorms possible today and Wednesday afternoon
  south of Interstate 80.

* Breezy afternoon winds return Wednesday through Friday, possibly
  creating minor impacts to fire, recreation, and aviation.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Our stretch of hot weather peaks today with daytime highs in the
upper 80s-90s for Sierra communities and upper 90s-103F for valleys
of NE California and W Nevada. Nighttime temperatures will only fall
to 65-70F tonight in lowest western Nevada valleys, providing
minimal relief from the heat. Wednesday is only slightly cooler than
today, but more earnest cooling will lower temperatures back to
seasonal averages by the weekend.

Cumulus continues to mature along the higher terrain of Mono,
Alpine, and Mineral counties per 1 PM satellite obs. This is the
most favorable area for shower and thunderstorm development today
with odds reaching 20-30%. Isolated showers and storms are possible
farther north towards the Tahoe Basin, Greater Reno-Carson-Minden
area, and Virgina City, although with lesser chances (10-20%). Any
showers/t-storms will drift eastward into Lyon and Churchill County,
but should dissipate before reaching the US-95 corridor. Strong
outflow winds will be the main concern with any thunderstorm, but
brief heavy downpours, small hail, and occasional lightning will
also be possible. There may be blowing dust and travel impacts near
desert sinks and playas in the W NV Basin and Range. All shower and
t-storm activity should come to an end by 9 or 10 PM tonight.

Additional showers and thunderstorms are likely Wednesday afternoon,
but best chances (30-50%) shift southeast into Mono and Mineral
counties. Shower/t-storm potential is limited on Thursday with dry
weather prevailing into the weekend. Winds become breezy Wednesday
afternoon with SW-W gusts of 20-30 mph, which should pose elevated
fire concerns and minor impacts to travel and recreation. While
Wednesday will be the windiest day, we'll continue to see breezy
winds each afternoon late this week and over the weekend.

-Salas

&&

.AVIATION...

Showers and thunderstorms will be the primary concern today with
greatest potential for storm impacts at KMMH (15-20% chance) through
04Z. There is the possibility of isolated showers and t-storms at
KRNO-KCXP-KMEV this afternoon, but lesser odds (10-15%) exist at
these terminals. Should this occur, the most likely timeframe would
between 22Z and 02Z. Otherwise, VFR conditions and light breezes
prevail today.

Additional showers and storms are possible Wednesday, once again
favoring KMMH. Winds trend stronger Wednesday afternoon with SW/W
surface gusts of 20-30 kts potentially inducing low-end LLWS
impacts at Sierra Front terminals.

-Salas

&&

.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Heat Advisory until 9 AM PDT Wednesday NVZ001-003>005.

CA...Heat Advisory until 9 AM PDT Wednesday CAZ070-071.

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
256 PM PDT Tue Aug 12 2025

CAZ072-NVZ002-003-122230-
Greater Lake Tahoe Area CA-Greater Lake Tahoe Area NV-Greater Reno-
Carson City-Minden Area NV-
256 PM PDT Tue Aug 12 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT ALPINE AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES
THROUGH 330 PM PDT...

At 256 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Alpine Village, or 8 miles south of Gardnerville, moving north at 10
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Gardnerville, Gardnerville Ranchos, Woodfords, Mesa Vista, Alpine
Village, Junction U.S 395 And NV 756, Gardnerville Ranch, Indian
Creek Campground, Paynesville, Junction Nv 88 And Nv 756, Junction Nv
88 And Nv 206, Indian Creek Reservoir, Alpine County Airport, and
Junction CA 88 And NV 88.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3872 11968 3875 11986 3896 11986 3891 11960
TIME...MOT...LOC 2156Z 195DEG 7KT 3882 11976

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

JC