Red Flag Warning 3, NWS Reno, NV

938 
WWUS85 KREV 182049
RFWREV

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Reno NV
149 PM PDT Thu Jun 18 2026

NVZ420-421-192000-
/O.NEW.KREV.FW.W.0004.260619T1900Z-260620T0400Z/
/O.CON.KREV.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-260619T0500Z/
Northern Sierra Front including Carson City, Douglas, Storey,
Southern Washoe, Western Lyon, and Far Southern Lassen Counties-
Southern Sierra Front including Alpine, Northern Mono, Southern
Lyon, and Western Mineral Counties-
149 PM PDT Thu Jun 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS
EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG OUTFLOW WINDS FOR THE SIERRA
FRONT...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR
THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG OUTFLOW WINDS FOR THE SIERRA FRONT...

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms and strong outflow winds, which is in
effect from noon to 9 PM PDT Friday.

* CHANGES...A new Red Flag Warning has been issued in the Sierra
  Front for Friday afternoon when additional thunderstorms renew 
  a risk of dry lightning and strong outflow winds.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zone 420 Northern Sierra Front 
  including Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Southern Washoe, 
  Western Lyon, and Far Southern Lassen Counties, Fire Weather 
  Zone 421 Southern Sierra Front including Alpine, Northern 
  Mono, Southern Lyon, and Western Mineral Counties.

* Thunderstorms...Thunderstorm coverage and dry lightning
  potential will be isolated through this evening, becoming more
  widespread Friday afternoon. 

* Outflow Winds...Gusty and erratic thunderstorm outflow winds,
  even well away from rain cores. Gusts to around 50 mph possible
  today and Friday afternoon. 

* Impacts...Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine 
  with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in 
  size and intensity before first responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry
vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires.
Follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for
updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.

&&

$$

CAZ270-278-NVZ458-192000-
/O.UPG.KREV.FW.A.0003.260619T1500Z-260620T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KREV.FW.W.0004.260619T1500Z-260620T0600Z/
Surprise Valley California-Eastern Lassen County-
Northern Washoe County-
149 PM PDT Thu Jun 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR
THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG OUTFLOW WINDS FOR THE SURPRISE VALLEY,
EASTERN LASSEN AND NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTIES...

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms and strong outflow winds, which is in
effect from 8 AM to 11 PM PDT Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is
no longer in effect.

* CHANGES...The Fire Weather Watch has been upgraded to a Red 
  Flag Warning. 

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zone 270 Surprise Valley 
  California, Fire Weather Zone 278 Eastern Lassen County, Fire 
  Weather Zone 458 Northern Washoe County.

* Thunderstorms...Isolated dry lightning will be possible Friday
  morning before thunderstorm coverage increases Friday afternoon. 

* Outflow Winds...Gusty and erratic thunderstorm outflow winds, 
  even well away from rain cores. Gusts to around 50 mph 
  possible.

* Impacts...Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine 
  with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in 
  size and intensity before first responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry
vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires.
Follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for
updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.

&&

$$

NVZ423-192000-
/O.UPG.KREV.FW.A.0003.260619T1500Z-260620T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KREV.FW.W.0004.260619T1900Z-260620T0600Z/
West Humboldt Basin in Pershing County-
149 PM PDT Thu Jun 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR
THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG OUTFLOW WINDS FOR THE WEST HUMBOLDT BASIN
IN PERSHING COUNTY...

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms and strong outflow winds, which is in
effect from noon to 11 PM PDT Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is
no longer in effect.

* CHANGES...The Fire Weather Watch has been upgraded to a Red Flag
  Warning. The start time of the Red Flag Warning has been delayed
  to Friday afternoon as thunderstorm potential Friday morning has
  decreased.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zone 423 West Humboldt Basin in 
  Pershing County.

* Thunderstorms....A mix of wet and dry thunderstorms Friday
  afternoon.

* Outflow Winds...Gusty and erratic thunderstorm outflow winds, 
  even well away from rain cores. Gusts to around 60 mph 
  possible.

* Impacts...Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine 
  with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in 
  size and intensity before first responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry
vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires.
Follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for
updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.

&&

$$

NVZ429-192000-
/O.NEW.KREV.FW.W.0004.260619T1900Z-260620T0600Z/
Lahontan Basin including Churchill and Eastern Mineral Counties-
149 PM PDT Thu Jun 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR
THUNDERSTORMS AND STRONG OUTFLOW WINDS FOR THE LAHONTAN BASIN IN
CHURCHILL AND EASTERN MINERAL COUNTIES...

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms and strong outflow winds, which is in
effect from noon to 11 PM PDT Friday.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zone 429 Lahontan Basin including 
  Churchill and Eastern Mineral Counties.

* Thunderstorms...A mix of wet and dry thunderstorms Friday
  afternoon. Coverage will be focused in Churchill County with
  isolated thunderstorms possible in eastern Mineral County. 

* Outflow Winds...Gusty and erratic thunderstorm outflow winds, 
  even well away from rain cores. Gusts to around 60 mph 
  possible.

* Impacts...Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine 
  with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in 
  size and intensity before first responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry
vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires.
Follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for
updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.

&&

$$

http://weather.gov/reno

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
1235 AM PDT Wed Jun 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Summer-like heat will maintain widespread moderate to areas of
  major HeatRisk through Thursday.

* Thunderstorm activity increases each day through Friday, peaking
  Friday. This will bring concerns for impacts to fire,
  recreation, and aviation.

* Cooler and drier weather is favored to return over the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Near triple digit heat again today for the lower valleys of W NV
and NE CA, with the mid to upper 80s for our Sierra counterparts.
Overnight lows in the mid to upper 60s will continue to provide
limited heat relief. Thankfully, heat will subside by this
weekend, with highs slinking back to the upper 80s and 70s for
valleys and higher elevations, respectively.

Afternoon shower and thunderstorm chances will increase both in
probability and areal coverage each day through Friday. As for
today, best chances (15%) for shower and thunderstorm development
will be along the Sierra of Mono and Alpine counties, extending
into the Pine Nut Mountains. An emerging ridge breakdown pattern
Thursday and Friday will increase chances further, with a 20-40%
chance for showers Thursday across the entire Sierra through the
Tahoe Basin with isolated chances for showers in Lassen county of
NE CA, as well. Thunderstorm chances Thursday range from 15-20%. Model
guidance hints at showers and storms lingering overnight Thursday
into Friday as the upper level low tracks further towards the
California coast. Model soundings across the area show inverted-V
profiles; with thunderstorms that develop, there are increasing
chances for new fire starts from lightning.

Friday will be the day of greatest concern, though, as shower and
thunderstorm chances expand areawide; there is a 40-60% chance of
showers with 15-20% chances for lightning. PWATs range from
0.6-0.8" with MUCAPE values ranging anywhere from 400-800 J/kg.
Inverted-V profiles continue, so while some storms may produce
brief, heavy rainfall, some may be drier in nature, which
increases the risk for dry lightning. DCAPE values also range over
1000 J/kg, coinciding with outflow gusts over 50 mph. With the
warm temperatures and healthy diffluence aloft, provided by the
eastward track of the aforementioned low pressure, it will be
quite easy for storms to develop. Make sure to check the forecast
before you head outdoors and keep an eye and ear to the skies.

-Giralte

&&

.AVIATION...

Near triple digit heat will pose density altitude concerns for
western Nevada terminals. Typical afternoon wind gusts of 15-20
mph prevail with VFR conditions.

-Giralte

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...

Hot and dry conditions continue through Thursday, with chances for
showers and thunderstorms increasing each day through Friday.
Overnight RH recoveries continue to be poor for much of the Basin
and Range of western Nevada.

Storms that develop Thursday and Friday will be faster moving,
but a mix of wet storms and dry storms (dry lightning threat).
Outflow gusts up to 50+ mph are possible both days, which will
help rapidly spread any fires that develop from lightning starts.
As a reminder, lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from a
storm. The preceding dry conditions from this week will promote
receptive fuels. With the greatest concern for thunderstorms
Friday, a Fire Weather Watch is in effect from 8am until 11pm.

-Giralte

&&

.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Fire Weather Watch from Friday morning through Friday evening
     NVZ458.

     Heat Advisory until 5 AM PDT Friday NVZ004.

     Fire Weather Watch from Friday morning through Friday evening
     NVZ423.

CA...Fire Weather Watch from Friday morning through Friday evening
     CAZ270-278.

&&