Severe Thunderstorm Warning 14, NWS Reno, NV

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
1214 PM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Threats from showers and thunderstorms today include flash
  flooding, lightning, outflow wind gusts up to 50 mph, and small
  hail.

* 15-30% chance showers and thunderstorms Friday for W NV and the
  eastern Sierra.

* Drier conditions until at least Monday with typical westerly
  afternoon breezes up to 25 mph.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Convective initiation has started for the eastern Sierra of Mono
county and and the Sierra Front. Storms will progress
northeastward into W NV until 8pm. The 12Z sounding from Reno had
1000 J/kg of MUCAPE and current model values show MUCAPE between
1000-1200 J/kg this afternoon. PWATs range from 0.6-0.9", which is
above the 90th percentile based on sounding climatology for Reno.
Abundant moisture and slower storm motions will make flooding the
main threat for today. Flash flooding will be possible in urban
areas with debris flows most likely in areas of steep terrain and
near active fires. As such, much of the area is in a Slight
Excessive Rainfall Outlook from the Weather Prediction Center with
a Flash Flood Watch in effect over the same area. For details on
the Flash Flood Watch, please visit www.weather.gov/Reno. Keep an
eye and ear to the skies today and consider postponing outdoor
afternoon activities until after storms move through the area.
Even once storms have ceased, flooding can still remain a concern.
Flooding becomes increasingly difficult to gauge at night; never
drive through flooded roadways!

Lightning, gusty outflow winds up to 50 mph, and small hail can't
be ruled out of the forecast today, as well. Frequent lightning
may produce new fires and with any stronger outflows, new and
current wildfires may spread and/or change direction quickly.
Hail will be of the lesser threat today, with up to 0.5" in
diameter.

Shower and thunderstorm chances taper to 15-30% tomorrow, mainly
south of I-80 and into the eastern Sierra of Mono and Alpine
counties. Storms will be a bit faster in nature and with a drier
surface level, the threat for flooding and heavy rain will rely on
the need for training storms. DCAPE values range from 700-1000
J/kg tomorrow, coinciding with gusty outflows up to 50 mph.

Longer range guidance shows a drying trend for the weekend until
at least Monday. Expect typical afternoon westerly breezes up to
25 mph and warming conditions.

-Giralte

&&

.AVIATION...

Showers and thunderstorms for all terminals except KTRK/KTVL
today. Storms will continue until around 14/02Z, ending sooner
(roughly 14/00Z) for KMMH. Storms will be capable of frequent
lightning and lower CIGS/VIS will bring mountain obscurations for
all terminals. Flooding remains the primary threat, with anywhere
from ponding water to standing water on area runways from the
heaviest storms. MVFR/IFR conditions possible due to heavy
rainfall with gusty and erratic thunderstorm outflow winds up to
35 kts today.

VFR conditions expected for all terminals through the weekend,
with the only exception for KMMH/KRNO/KCXP/KMEV due to slight
chances (15-30%) of showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon.

-Giralte

&&

.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Flood Watch until 9 PM PDT this evening NVZ001-003.

     Flood Watch from 1 PM this afternoon to 9 PM PDT this evening
     NVZ004.

CA...Flood Watch until 9 PM PDT this evening CAZ073.

&&

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
1111 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

CAZ071>073-NVZ001>005-132000-
Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties CA-
Greater Lake Tahoe Area CA-Mono CA-Greater Lake Tahoe Area NV-
Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake NV-
Northern Washoe County NV-Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area NV-
Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties NV-
1111 AM PDT Thu Aug 13 2026

...THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING OVER WESTERN NEVADA...EASTERN SIERRA AND
NORTHEAST CALIFORNIA THROUGH 100 PM PDT...

At 1111 AM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking several showers and
thunderstorms develop over hte region, moving northeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
Reno, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Fallon, Mammoth Lakes,
Lovelock, Gardnerville, Virginia City, June Lake, Pyramid Lake, Lee
Vining, Lahontan Reservoir.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building or vehicle.

Torrential rainfall is likely as the thunderstorm gain strength this
afternoon. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until 9 PM this evening.

&&

LAT...LON 3758 11901 3883 12010 4107 12034 4112 11933
      4096 11933 4096 11879 4085 11878 4086 11765
      4068 11764 4068 11730 4000 11754 3955 11749
      3938 11776 3910 11778 3900 11819 3847 11770
      3789 11842 3747 11783 3746 11784 3746 11878
TIME...MOT...LOC 1806Z 245DEG 7KT 3894 11974

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

BB