A warm, moist southerly flow drawing north into the eastern Sierra, coupled with cooling aloft accompanying a weak negatively tilted shortwave trough lifting northeast across CA/NV destabilized areas south of US 50, and initiated the afternoon development of thunderstorms over the eastern Sierra. Increasing daytime heating and steepening lapse-rates allowed late afternoon/early evening…
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The episode as NWS REV wrote it up.
A warm, moist southerly flow drawing north into the eastern Sierra, coupled with cooling aloft accompanying a weak negatively tilted shortwave trough lifting northeast across CA/NV destabilized areas south of US 50, and initiated the afternoon development of thunderstorms over the eastern Sierra. Increasing daytime heating and steepening lapse-rates allowed late afternoon/early evening thunderstorm activity to increase later over the Sierra Front, Tahoe Basin, and far western Nevada.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Reno, NV wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 29, 1:18 PM PST, 7 hours 42 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Reno NV 218 PM PDT Mon Aug 29 2022 .SYNOPSIS... A weak low pressure system may trigger isolated showers and thunderstorms late today and tonight, with a few dry lightning strikes and possible gusty outflow winds. Otherwise, expect hot and dry conditions to prevail the rest of the week with highs approaching record values by mid-week. These hot above average temperature will likely extend through the Labor Day weekend. && .SHORT TERM...Through Tuesday Night... A weak negatively tilted trough will be passing by today, providing enough forcing to generate showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. After the trough passes, a ridge building in will bring well above average temperatures and dry conditions. The thunderstorms today will be on the drier side, even with PWAT values between 0.60-0.70". Fast storm motions, high cloud bases, and a shallow moisture layer will yield low precipitation with these storms. The latest model guidance has been very consistent in showing storms forming around US-95, moving northward from southern Lyon county up to northern Washoe through the evening. Main impacts with these storms will be gusty outflow winds up to 45 mph, blowing dust downstream from sinks/dry lake beds, and dry lightning. For those at Burning Man, there is a 15-20% chance that Black Rock City will see a rain shower tonight. After 8pm tonight, a few very light showers may develop in Lassen county and last until midnight. Tomorrow will be the beginning of the "Heat Wave" as a southwesterly flow sets up, drawing in warm, dry air. High temperatures across western NV will be flirting with the 100 degree mark, while Sierra communities will be in the mid to upper 80's. Typical westerly zephyr winds with gusts of 25 mph will set up today and tomorrow. -Justin .LONG TERM...(Wednesday onward)... No major changes to the extended forecast as strong high pressure builds over the western US and brings to bear an extended period of well above average daytime temperatures to the region. Ensemble cluster guidance projects further strengthening of the central area of high pressure over the Great Basin, central Rockies, and Desert Southwest through the remainder of this week through the Labor Day weekend. ECMWF Extreme Forecast Index only solidifies the notion that this late summer “Heat Wave” over the region will continue into next week with the largest variances still remaining west of the Sierra. But blended guidance still consistently shows a 1-in-3 chance for lower valley temperatures over western NV extending into the low triple- digit range with the best chance for the highest temps occurring during the upcoming holiday weekend. The date for the last 100F temp recorded at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport for any September may well move to the right beyond the current Sept 5 date reported in 2020. With high confidence it can be said, as in previous discussions, that this upcoming prolonged range of above normal temperatures will bring periods of moderate to high heat health risks or western Nevada valleys that carryovers into the Labor Day weekend and may well extend into early next week. * Moderate Risk - those sensitive to heat, especially those who lack effective cooling and/or adequate hydration (pets, elderly, kids included). * High Risk - covers much of the population, especially those in the moderate risk category. A couple of weak embedded upper short waves that passing Wednesday and again Friday through the Pac NW look to brush farther south over the northern areas of CA/NV, and bring some enhancement to local winds for areas along and north of I-80. Burners at the Black Rock City could experience increased periods of patchy afternoon blowing dust over the playa during these trough passages. But don’t expect the winds to bring any immediate relief from the heat as high pressure maintains its steady grip over the western US. The typical late afternoon-early evening zephyr wind gusts around 20-25 mph may not be much help mitigating the ongoing heat over the region as well. Labor Day Adventurers - Be prepared for the heat! Pack extra hydration/cooling, including but not limited to extra shade options and other sun protection, lots of hydration via water or electrolytes, and review the signs of heat illness to stave off a visit to the emergency room. -Amanda/Edan && .AVIATION... * VFR conditions will prevail for the upcoming week with potential for density altitude impacts from Wednesday onward for rotor and fixed winged aircraft as temperatures rise well above average. * Low chances (5-10%) for isolated thunderstorms directly impacting main terminals later this evening. Occasionally lightning, along with gusty- erratic outflow winds ranging 30-35kts could extend outward enough to impact western NV terminals (RTS-RNO-NFL-LOL) this evening and NE CA later tonight. -Amanda .FIRE WEATHER... Isolated dry thunderstorms remain possible late this afternoon into the early evening hours. The best chances for a few storms will be in west central Nevada late this afternoon as daytime heating coincide with a weak upper level wave moving over the region. There are signals for some convection in NE California overnight, but with limited upper level instability and a very dry airmass, lightning will be unlikely. Any storms that do form will be high based and moving rapidly to the north around 20-30 mph this afternoon, limiting rainfall. After today, a long period of hot and dry conditions with typical afternoon breezes is expected as high pressure builds over the west coast. A slightly stronger wind day is possible on Friday. Hot and dry are a typical precursor to increased fire weather conditions so we'll be keeping an eye on the eventual break down of the high pressure for the next period of potential fire critical weather conditions. -Zach && .REV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NV...None. CA...None. && For more information from the National Weather Service visit... http://weather.gov/reno
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
730 PM PDT Mon Aug 29 2022
NVZ004-300330-
Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake NV-
730 PM PDT Mon Aug 29 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Churchill and northern Lyon Counties through 830 PM PDT...
At 727 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles east of Hazen, or 11 miles northwest of Fallon, moving north at
20 mph. This storm is moving towards I-80 west of Trinity Junction.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and blowing dust.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Blowing dust may reduce visibility.
Locations impacted include...
Hazen, Trinity Junction, Desert Peak and Junction I 80 And U.S 95
(exit 83).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3954 11879 3951 11904 3999 11918 3999 11868
TIME...MOT...LOC 0227Z 177DEG 19KT 3960 11892
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DNPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
816 PM PDT MON AUG 29 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0805 PM TSTM WND GST 14 WSW TRINITY JUNCTION 39.83N 118.97W
08/29/2022 M51 MPH CHURCHILL NV DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
51 MPH WIND GUST MEASURED AT MESONET STATION
NTGNV 14.1 SW TRINITY JUNCTION (NV DOT).
&&
DNPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
817 PM PDT MON AUG 29 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0731 PM TSTM WND GST 9 ENE HAZEN 39.64N 118.91W
08/29/2022 M55 MPH CHURCHILL NV MESONET
55 MPH WIND GUST MEASURED AT MESONET STATION
UP986 8.8 NE HAZEN (UPR).
&&
DNSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
851 PM PDT Mon Aug 29 2022
NVZ004-300445-
Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake NV-
851 PM PDT Mon Aug 29 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Churchill and south central Pershing Counties through 945 PM PDT...
At 850 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles east of Trinity Junction, or 21 miles south of Lovelock, moving
north at 25 mph. This will impact portions of I-80 near Lovelock.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 55 mph and blowing dust.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Blowing dust may reduce visibility.
Locations impacted include...
Lovelock, Junction I 80 And Nv 396/857 (exit 112), Lovelock Derby
Field Airport and Lone Rock.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3974 11834 3974 11858 4021 11868 4030 11848
4028 11819
TIME...MOT...LOC 0350Z 178DEG 21KT 3987 11848
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
DNPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV
916 PM PDT MON AUG 29 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0902 PM TSTM WND GST 3 ENE TRINITY JUNCTION 39.95N 118.69W
08/29/2022 M52 MPH CHURCHILL NV MESONET
52 MPH WIND GUST REPORTED AT UNION PACIFIC
RAILROAD SENSOR.
&&
DNSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
922 PM PDT Mon Aug 29 2022
NVZ004-005-300530-
Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake NV-
Northern Washoe County NV-
922 PM PDT Mon Aug 29 2022
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of central Washoe and
northwestern Pershing Counties through 1030 PM PDT...
At 920 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of showers and
thunderstorms along a line extending from 14 miles north of Pyramid
Lake to 13 miles east of Gerlach-Empire to 25 miles northwest of
Lovelock. Movement was north at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and blowing dust.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Areas of blowing dust may reduce
visibility.
Locations impacted include...
Gerlach, Gerlach-Empire, Old Razorback Mountain, Seven Troughs
Mountain, Empire, Dry Mountain, Fox Mountain, Sand Pass, Smoke Creek
Desert, Empire Airport, Kumiva Peak, Granite Peak, Rosebud Peak, and
Black Rock City.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
these storms pass.
&&
LAT...LON 4096 11933 4096 11879 4085 11878 4085 11852
4030 11859 4028 11916 4014 11974 4102 11975
4111 11933
TIME...MOT...LOC 0420Z 186DEG 33KT 4026 11965 4051 11914 4047 11877
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DNThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 dust storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Live public webcam located 12 mi NE of Gerlach, NV showed near zero visibility from blowing dust along with strong winds at Black Rock City from nearby showers and thunderstorms.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nevada in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, August 2022
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1051368.