Forecast reports possible break in heat wave

A heat wave is forecast to end with a bang on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

A third day with forecast 100-degree temperatures dawned on Saturday after Friday saw a third day in a row with the high hitting 100 degrees or better, according to Minden-Tahoe Airport’s automated weather system.

Residents in other parts of Carson Valley reported higher temperatures, with a 104-degree reading on Thursday and nearly 107 on Friday, according to R-C readers.

While records fell in Reno and South Lake Tahoe, Minden’s records remained secure during the week with only one day coming within a degree.

The same can be said for the average maximum temperature for the month which was 93.3 degrees more than 5 degrees cooler than the record highest average of 98.8 degrees set in 1931.

A heat advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. today with forecast high temperatures of 100-105 degrees.

“This one more day of abnormally hot temps will also bring increased heat risks to the general population, as well as our more vulnerable populations,” National Weather Service Reno Meteorologist Amanda Young said in the forecast detail on Saturday morning. “So, it’s important to limit outdoor activity in the

afternoon and make sure you stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay

informed.”

Forecasters predict that it will still be warm tonight into Sunday morning with a possibility of thunderstorms over Mono and Mineral counties this afternoon.

Any cloud cover will contribute to increasing temperatures overnight. Smoke from the Yosemite fires is expected to remain in southern California, so residents may be able to open up their homes tonight.

With the passage of the high-pressure system that has pinned high temperatures over the region, there’s a possibility that the monsoons that brought flooding to Las Vegas could bring some moisture to Western Nevada.

“The high pressure which has maintained the current wave of heat over the region is projected to start shifting east and further into the interior Great Basin of Eastern Nevada overnight into Sunday,” Young said. “This will allow monsoonal moisture brewing over the desert southwest to surge northward into the region.”

Forecasters are giving even odds of showers and thundershowers on Monday with high temperatures dropping into the 80s.

The storms are expected to be slower and wetter, which will be welcome relief from an 81-day long dry spell that started May 10.

But those storms will also bring the possibility of flash flooding, especially on the Numbers and Tamarack fire burn scars.

“These storms are capable producing more frequent bursts of dangerous lightning, gusty outflow winds up to 55 mph, and increase risk of new fire starts from increased cloud-to-ground lightning strikes,” Young said.