A high amount of atmospheric moisture in the region interacted with a short-wave trough, allowing for widespread heavy precipitation. This was day five of an extended push of monsoon moisture that produced heavy rain, localized flooding, strong outflow winds.
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS REV wrote it up.
A high amount of atmospheric moisture in the region interacted with a short-wave trough, allowing for widespread heavy precipitation. This was day five of an extended push of monsoon moisture that produced heavy rain, localized flooding, strong outflow winds.
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 27, 11:17 AM PST, 3 hours 16 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Reno NV 1217 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... * Thunderstorms and an elevated risk of flash flooding are expected this afternoon, especially over urban areas and burn scars. * A drying trend will reduce thunderstorm activity into the weekend, but areas of isolated storms remain possible into early next week. * Temperatures remain cooler than normal into the weekend, but will warm-up through Sunday. && .DISCUSSION... A shortwave trough will be passing through today, leaving our CWA on the edge of the left exit region of the upper level jet streak. Because of this, another round of showers and t-storms are expected this afternoon. Thursday, the trough moves further east and shifts all of its forcing and instability over central/eastern NV. We may see some chances for showers and storms over Mono/Mineral/E. Churchill Thursday, though models are still struggling to come to a consensus on location. Friday through this weekend look to be a bit quieter. We'll have less available moisture and less instability to fire off thunderstorms. Diving in further on today's storms: Going through the CAMs, MUCAPE today will be around 400-600 J/kg and DCAPE around 800-1000 J/kg. That's enough DCAPE for storms to produce strong outflow boundaries that could produce gusts up to 40+ mph. PWAT values are slightly elevated around 0.75-0.85". Storm motions continue to be on the slower side today, less than 10 kt, so flash flooding remains a risk where stronger storms stall out, back build, or train. Especially since we've had multiple rounds of heavy rain over the past few days, the ground is primed for faster runoff. If you're out on a lake today or over in the Black Rock Desert, please be cautious and have a way to receive weather alerts! Shower and t-storm chances of 30-40% will continue today across the entire CWA, with storms starting as early as 11 AM. Similar to yesterday, storms will start along the Sierra and propagate east through the afternoon. Expect small hail with occasional hail that's up to a quarter in size, gusty outflow winds up to 45-50 mph, heavy rain with potential flash flooding, and possible blowing dust over the playa. I will note too that ensembles are hinting at the possibility of a trace of snow this evening in southern Mono and the White Mountains as showers are dissipating and surface temperatures cool off. While still a very low probability (<10%), it's a non-zero chance. As alluded to earlier, Friday onward we get into this drier pattern and high pressure starts to work its way in. Ensembles are showing the possibility of showers in the Sierra each afternoon through the weekend, however most CAMs don't show anything in the way of precip, yet. All the storms aside, for the rest of the week we're going to warm up a little bit each day and temps will warm back up in lower NV valleys to 90 by Saturday. -Justin && .AVIATION... Widespread coverage of showers and thunderstorms are expected once again this afternoon. Brief periods of IFR conditions are possible due to heavy rain and sudden reductions to visibility. The best chances for thunderstorms today will be around 60-70% at KMMH and terminals in the Sierra and Sierra Front, including 40% at 88NV in the Black Rock Desert. Timing of these storms will be as early as 12-1 PM for KMMH, 2-5 PM for 88NV, and 12-1 PM for all other terminals. Main threats today with these storms will be heavy rain, small hail, frequent lightning, and outflow gusts up to 35 kts. Storm activity is expected to wrap up after 8 PM. Additionally, low clouds and fog may produce a period of IFR conditions at KTRK overnight tonight, particularly 11Z - 16Z. -Justin && .REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NV...Flood Watch until 10 PM PDT this evening NVZ001>003. CA...Flood Watch until 10 PM PDT this evening CAZ071>073. &&
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
211 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
NVZ003-004-272145-
Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake NV-
Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area NV-
211 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL WASHOE COUNTY THROUGH
245 PM PDT...
At 211 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sutcliffe, or near Pyramid Lake, moving east at 15 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...
Pyramid Lake, Sutcliffe, and The Needle Rocks.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3980 11954 4018 11973 4022 11952 3985 11935
TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 269DEG 12KT 3998 11956
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
223 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
NVZ001>004-272200-
Greater Lake Tahoe Area NV-
Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake NV-
Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area NV-
Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties NV-
223 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT STOREY...SOUTH CENTRAL WASHOE...
DOUGLAS AND CENTRAL LYON COUNTIES AND CARSON CITY THROUGH 300 PM
PDT...
At 223 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Dayton, or near Virginia City, moving east at 20
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...
Carson City, Virginia City, Dayton, Washoe City, Damonte Ranch,
Pleasant Valley, Carson City Airport, Galena, New Washoe City, Indian
Hills, Washoe Lake Campground, Us 395 At Douglas-Carson City Co Line,
Lakeview, Rawe Peak, Gold Hill, Davis Creek Campground, Stewart,
Junction U.S 50 And Six Mile Canyon-Ft Churchill Rd, Us 50 At Carson
City-Lyon Co Line, and Junction U.S 50 And NV 341.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3909 11977 3947 11990 3935 11941 3904 11925
TIME...MOT...LOC 2123Z 265DEG 18KT 3923 11960
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
231 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
NVZ001-272200-
Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties NV-
231 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MINERAL AND CENTRAL
LYON COUNTIES THROUGH 300 PM PDT...
At 231 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of Mason, or 29 miles northeast of Topaz Lake, moving
northeast 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.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern
Mineral and central Lyon Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3873 11904 3888 11919 3903 11901 3885 11878
TIME...MOT...LOC 2131Z 230DEG 10KT 3886 11905
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
303 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
NVZ004-272230-
Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake NV-
303 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN CHURCHILL AND NORTH
CENTRAL LYON COUNTIES THROUGH 330 PM PDT...
At 303 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lahontan Reservoir, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch 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...
Lahontan Reservoir, Fernley, Silver Springs, Us 50 At Lyon-Churchill
Co Line, and Silver Springs Airport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3939 11927 3955 11926 3955 11890 3932 11893
TIME...MOT...LOC 2203Z 278DEG 10KT 3944 11914
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
326 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
CAZ072-073-NVZ001-003-272300-
Greater Lake Tahoe Area CA-Mono CA-Greater Reno-Carson City-
Minden Area NV-Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties NV-
326 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN MONO...ALPINE...DOUGLAS
AND SOUTH CENTRAL LYON COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM PDT...
At 326 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Topaz Lake, moving northeast at 15 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...
Topaz Lake, Monitor Pass, Junction U.S 395 And CA 89, Holbrook
Junction, Topaz Lake Campground, and Smith Valley.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3856 11955 3865 11968 3884 11952 3866 11929
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 221DEG 12KT 3867 11957
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Reno NV
331 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
NVZ004-272300-
Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake NV-
331 PM PDT Wed Aug 27 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL CHURCHILL AND NORTH
CENTRAL LYON COUNTIES THROUGH 400 PM PDT...
At 331 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Lahontan Reservoir, moving east at 15 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...
Lahontan Reservoir, Fernley, Hazen, Silver Springs, Junction U.S 50
And NV 117 (sheckler Cutoff), and Us 50 At Lyon-Churchill Co Line.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3933 11920 3955 11926 3963 11896 3937 11879
TIME...MOT...LOC 2231Z 277DEG 15KT 3946 11906
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
JCThe Reno radar (KRGX), 20 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:35 UTC.
3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Nevada Department of Transportation reported a road closure due to flooding and debris on both the westbound and eastbound I-80 near Derby Dam.
Storey County Sheriffs office reported flooding across roadways around Gold Hill on SR-342 south of Virginia City.
Public reported mud and flooding on SR-439 south of Interstate 80.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nevada in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, August 2025
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: 1280751, 1280752, 1280753.