Sun Valley, Nevada 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

520
FXUS65 KREV 220013
AFDREV

Area Forecast Discussion...RESENT
National Weather Service Reno NV
126 PM PST Sat Dec 21 2024

.SYNOPSIS...

* Strong southwesterly winds expected to create recreation and
  travel impacts in portions of the region today.

* Periods of light rain and high elevation snow expected today
  through Sunday with slick roads and holiday travel disruptions
  possible.

* Drier conditions Monday before a colder storm arrives Christmas
  Eve, with additional storms possible towards the close of the year.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Unsettled weather continues through this weekend with several rounds
of rain and high elevation snow. Current radar imagery shows a band
of showers accompanying a cold front passage this morning. Showers
are quickly moving through the area this afternoon and will taper
through early this afternoon, becoming more isolated into this
evening. Showers are expected to reinvigorate mainly over the Sierra
and western Nevada south of I-80 overnight tonight into early Sunday
morning as a weak disturbance traverses the region. Conditions dry
out by mid-morning areawide, before another weak disturbance brings
another band of rain and high elevation snow Sunday night into early
Monday morning. Snow levels will fluctuate between 8000-8500 feet in
the Sierra, upwards of 9000 feet across Mono County. As such, snow
accumulations will mostly remain confined to the high Sierra through
the remainder of this system. "Greatest" snow accumulations will
remain confined to the Sierra crest in Mono County, though that term
should be used loosely as there`s only a 30-50% chance to see
greater than 2" in most areas above 9000 feet.

This storm has packed a punch across the region in terms of wind,
with exposed ridges already observing over 100 mph and wind prone
areas along US-395 seeing gusts 60-70 mph. A Wind Advisory remains
in effect until 4 PM this afternoon for the Tahoe Basin, northeast
California, and far western Nevada. Expect winds to taper through
the evening, becoming light overnight across valleys, but remaining
breezy along ridgelines. Expect impacts to recreation, aviation, and
travel for high-profile vehicles through this afternoon.

Conditions dry out and winds remain calm through Monday, making this
the best day for travel ahead of the holiday. Our next system
arrives Christmas Eve, and this one is setting up to be colder with
better chances for snow to Sierra pass and lake levels in addition
to another round of gusty winds and valley rain. Snowfall totals
still remain on track with previous forecast for the Sierra, with a
60-70% chance for 6 inches of snow above 7000 feet. Highest Sierra
peaks generally above 9000 feet have a 50-60% chance to see over an
foot of snow. Chances have increased for snowfall to lake level in
the Tahoe Basin, with a 60-70% chance of greater than an inch of
snow for most communities Tuesday into Christmas morning. Good
chances for a white Christmas for our eastern Sierra communities
along US-395 as well, with a 70-90% chance for greater than an inch
of snow. White Christmas chances look meager for our valley
locations, though foothill locations may see a dusting overnight
Tuesday into early Wednesday morning as snow levels dip to near 5500
feet before showers exit the region. Expect some slick conditions in
and around the Sierra for Christmas Eve into early Christmas Day, in
addition to increased winds bringing outdoor recreation impacts.

Dry conditions return again for Christmas Day, with a cold morning
yielding to a seasonably cool remainder of the holiday. Another
system may impact the region on Thursday, with additional rounds of
valley rain, mountain snow, and increased winds potentially creating
some headaches for post-holiday travelers. Confidence is still low
on impacts at this point, but overall unsettled conditions are
favored to close out 2024. Whitlam

&&

.AVIATION...

SW`erly FL100 winds remain elevated around 60-70 kts through this
afternoon, resulting in wind shear and mountain wave turbulence
downstream of the Sierra. Periods of strongest winds expected until
around 22z for KRNO-KCXP-KMEV-KTRK-KTVL. Winds taper this evening
into Sunday morning areawide.

Light rain showers may result in periodic MVFR conditions for all
regional terminals through early this afternoon, and again overnight
into Sunday morning as another band of rain moves into the region.
Brief IFR conditions are possible for KTRK-KTVL into Sunday morning
as well. More showery conditions are likely through the remainder of
the day on Sunday, with terrain obscuration the main concern.
Whitlam

&&

.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Wind Advisory until 4 PM PST this afternoon NVZ002-003.

CA...Wind Advisory until 4 PM PST this afternoon CAZ071-072.

&&

$$