Fernley, Nevada 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

156
FXUS65 KREV 192021 CCA
AFDREV

Area Forecast Discussion...CORRECTED.
National Weather Service Reno NV
121 PM PDT Thu Mar 19 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Record breaking heat continues through Friday with afternoon highs
  25 to 30 degrees above normal.

* Breezy Saturday followed with temperatures remaining 15 to 20
  degrees above seasonal averages through Wednesday. Winds increase
  further by next Wednesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

* Record-breaking heat remains the primary story through Friday as a
  potent ridge remains anchored over the West. Afternoon highs are
  forecast to reach the 70s in the Sierra and 80s in lower
  elevations, with a 25-50% chance for warmer western NV valleys
  (like Fallon and Hawthorne) to touch 90 degrees. These values are
  more typical of mid-June than mid-March. Notably, Reno set a new
  all-time March record of 86 degrees yesterday; there is an 80% or
  greater chance of breaking this record again today and/or Friday.
  This stretch is truly historic: today will likely mark the start
  of the first 3-day streak of 80+ degree March days in 132 years of
  record-keeping in the Reno area. For more information on this
  record breaking heat, see the climate section below.

* The persistent stretch of extreme warmth has accelerated snowmelt
  across the Sierra, leading to a increase in flows for local rivers
  and streams. While the record-breaking temperatures may feel like
  summer, the water remains cold. It is highly recommended to stay
  off the water and away from the unstable banks of fast-flowing rivers.

* We will see a brief transition this weekend as a weak dry cold
  front moves across the region. This will result in breezy
  conditions on Saturday, potentially creating choppy lake
  conditions and bumpy flights, and a slight drop in temperatures
  for Sunday. However, this relief will be short-lived. Ensemble
  guidance shows the ridge quickly rebuilding, bringing a return of
  80+ degree temperatures for lower elevations by Monday and Tuesday.

* By next Wednesday, another system approaches to the north and will
  likely make it the windiest day of the period. While the forecast
  remains mostly dry, there is a minor (less than 10%) chance for
  light showers in northeast California, northwest Nevada, and the
  Tahoe Basin. This system should finally usher in a more noticeable
  cooling trend toward the end of next week, though temperatures are
  still favored to remain above seasonal averages.

-Johnston

&&

.AVIATION...

* VFR: Widespread into next week.

* Density Altitude: Primary concern. Record heat will result in mid-
  June aircraft performance.

* Visibility: Morning inversions likely to trap haze in valleys,
  reducing slantwise visibility.

* Winds/Turbulence/LLWS: Light/diurnal through Saturday morning.
  Westerly breezes pick up Saturday (gusts to 25 kts at KRNO) likely
  generating some LLWS and mechanical turbulence. Stronger winds
  return Wednesday with a higher risk for mountain waves and LLWS.

-Johnston

&&

.CLIMATE...

* The ongoing heatwave is not just record-breaking; it is
  statistically historic. Reno established a new all-time monthly
  record of 86F on March 18th, breaking the previous record of 83F
  set in 1966. Most notably, today will likely mark the first 3-day
  streak of 80F+ March days in 132 years of record-keeping.
  Previously, 2-day streaks of 80-degree heat in March have occurred
  only 5 times (1966, 2004, 2015, 2022, and now 2026). For a day-by-
  day look at how upcoming temperatures stack up against these
  historic marks, consult our Tabular State Forecast.

* Monthly record set at Reno:

- Reno, NV: New record of 86F. The old monthly record was 83F on
      3/31/1966

* Monthly record set at South Lake Tahoe:

- South Lake Tahoe, CA: New record of 76F. The old monthly record
      was 71F on 3/30/2015

New daily record high temperatures and the previous daily record
high temperatures for Reno and South Lake Tahoe:

Date       Reno NV        South Lake Tahoe CA
----     ------------     -------------------
3/17     82F (old 78F in 2007)  69F (old 65F in 2007)
3/18     86F (old 77F in 1947)  76F (old 63F in 2004)
3/19     77F - 1997          65F - 2015
3/20     81F - 2004          68F - 1997
3/21     80F - 2004          68F - 1997
3/22     77F - 2004    65F - 2004
3/23 77F - 202266F - 2022
3/24     80F - 202265F - 2022
3/25 81F - 202267F - 2022

-------------------------------------------------------

Current record warmest low temperatures for Reno and South Lake
Tahoe (no new records so far):

Date       Reno NV        South Lake Tahoe CA
----     ------------           -------------------
3/18     48F - 1904             37F - 2021
3/19     46F - 2013             38F - 2013
3/20     47F - 2013             35F - 2013
3/21     46F - 2015             38F - 1972
3/22 50F - 201240F - 2012
3/23 46F - 200040F - 1998
3/24 45F - 200640F - 1986
3/25 52F - 189338F - 2008

-------------------------------------------------------

&&

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

$$