Alpine Meadows, California 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

703
FXUS65 KREV 270928
AFDREV

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
228 AM PDT Sun Apr 27 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

* A late season storm continues with periods of mountain snow, a
  rain-snow mix for lower elevations and brisk chilly conditions
  through this evening.

* Expect travel disruptions near the Sierra and higher passes in
  Mineral and Southern Lyon counties through this morning.

* Warmer and drier weather returns on Monday with chances of
  showers and storms returning by mid-week into the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Water vapor (WV) satellite imagery this morning shows the upper
low hovering over western NV and northeastern CA. There is a band
of light showers associated to this system over Washoe, Lassen and
Plumas counties, and into the Tahoe Basin as of 2 AM. WV imagery
shows drier air behind this and more warmer humidity upstream of
the drier portion. Therefore, we should have periods of showers
through the morning hours over far western NV, NE CA and the
Sierra. Activity becomes more spotty as we go into the afternoon
with showers focusing more over the NV Basin and Range, as the low
continues its northeastward trajectory.

Snow levels start around 5000-5500 ft this morning and then will
slowly rise up through the morning hours towards 6000-6500 ft.
This will lead to light snow accumulations (mainly over grassy
areas) over western NV. There is a 20-40% chance for snow down to
NV valleys in the Sierra front this morning before 8-9 am. Again,
not expecting it to stick to the ground, but there could be slick
roads. From the higher elevations of Plumas county south towards
the Tahoe Basin 1-3 inches of snow are likely this morning with a
20-40% chance of exceeding 3 inches at Sierra communities.
Similarly, Virginia City has a 20-30% of exceeding 3 inches this
morning. Snow amounts farther south towards Mono, S. Lyon and
Mineral become more limited and restricted to the higher
elevations of mountains. Afternoon breezes return with gusts up to
35 mph in the Sierra Front and stronger winds over mountains.

This system will be leaving this evening, resulting in drier and
cooler conditions tonight across the area. It will be a slightly
chillier morning though. However, conditions warm up over the
next few days as an upper ridge comes near our region. Afternoon
highs will rise back up to slightly below normal by Monday, and
seasonal by Tuesday.

Another weak shortwave trough comes around by Wednesday into
Thursday. However, no significant impacts are expected besides
some showers and a few thunderstorms (15-25% chance) in the
Sierra, and maybe some stray showers advancing into Carson,
Douglas, southern Lyon, eastern Churchill and Mineral counties.

Another stronger system appears towards the end of the week with
another upper trough becoming a closed-low over the weekend. The
trend is looking to be wetter and cooler as we expect more
showers and clouds in the area, plus another cold front pushing
through the region bringing cooler air.

-HC
&&

.AVIATION...

Periods of VFR conditions will be interjected with bands of
rain/snow that will reduce CIGS and VIS down to MVFR/IFR through
06Z. Also expect mountain obscurations through 12Z Monday as the
clouds dissipate tonight. Sierra Front terminals could see a
wintry mix (20-40% chance of snow) through 15Z, then changing to
rain. No accumulations expected. Sierra terminals should see some
snow in the morning hours, but accumulations will be light with a
30-40% chance of exceeding 2 inches at KTRK/KTVL. KMMH may have
some stray light snow showers (only 25% chance for snow).

Winds will be generally from the NW with gusts up to 20 kts in
the morning hours over valleys. Gusty winds persist over mountain
ridges through the day. There could be some minor turbulence and
LLWS in the Sierra Front. Western NV winds remain gusty after 17Z,
but from the W and NW with speeds to 10-15 kts and guts up to 30
kts. Winds in the Sierra remain mostly below 10 kts.

-HC
&&

.REV Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
NV...Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM PDT Sunday NVZ001-002.

CA...Winter Weather Advisory until 11 AM PDT Sunday CAZ072-073.

&&

$$