Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Crystal Bay, NV

DISCUSSION

Warm, springtime weather continues through Thursday as daytime highs reach near 60 and 70 degrees for Sierra and western Nevada communities, respectively. Our ongoing warm weather will keep regional streamflows running fast and very cold. A few light showers are possible near the OR border and from Mono County into Mineral County where a cumulus field is maturing. A slight chance of showers or a stray thunderstorm is possible Wednesday afternoon from Lassen County into N Washoe County, otherwise most areas will remain dry through Thursday.

A period of cooler and wetter weather begins early Friday and lasts through the weekend as an upper cyclone travels across the western states. As the storm progresses, it'll provide light mountain snow, lower elevation rain, a chance of thunderstorms, and breezy winds just in time for the weekend. Snow levels will fall low enough to allow snowfall along Sierra passes late Friday and Saturday when there is a 40-60% chance of 1-3" of snow. There may be some minor travel disruptions in and across the Sierra this weekend, but significant travel impacts are doubtful given late April sun angle and antecedent warm roadways. Snow levels bottom out near valley floors Saturday morning so brief flurries will be possible for foothill communities such as Virginia City, although snow accumulation is not anticipated away from the Sierra.

Valleys will likely receive light rain over the weekend to tune of a tenth of an inch or less. The exception will be locally heavier rainfall if/where thunderstorms may develop Friday and Saturday afternoon. Best chances (15-20%) of thunderstorms will be confined to the Sierra, although storms may be able to drift into adjacent western Nevada valleys. Thunderstorms will more than likely remain sub-severe, but the strongest storms will be capable of brief heavy downpours, gusty outflows, and occasional lightning. Winds will also become gusty Friday afternoon when most areas having a 30-60% chance of wind gusts exceeding 40 mph.

We'll begin a warming and drying trend on Sunday and continuing into next week as the upper low departs the region. There appears to be some chance of afternoon showers and isolated thunderstorms, although confidence is low being a week out.

-Salas

AVIATION

Breezy westerlies will persist through the afternoon at all terminals with occasional surface gusts up to 25 kts. There is a slight chance (10-15%) of showers near KMMH through this afternoon.
A brief period of FZFG and IFR/LIFR conditions is possible at KTRK from 11-15Z Wednesday, but odds are low. Otherwise, VFR conditions will largely prevail through Thursday.

-Salas

REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories
NV...None.
CA...None.