RENO, NV – The calm, crisp air across western Nevada won’t last long — a powerful Pacific storm system is gearing up to sweep across the region Saturday, bringing gusty winds, rain chances, and high-elevation snow to kick off the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Reno, a Wind Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. PDT Saturday, covering Washoe, Carson, and Douglas counties, along with the Surprise Valley and Lassen County in California. Southwest winds of 25–35 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph, are expected across the I-580 and U.S. 395 corridors, including Reno, Carson City, and Minden. In wind-prone mountain passes, gusts could reach 65 mph.
Residents should secure loose outdoor items — patio furniture, decorations, and trash bins — before winds pick up. Tree limbs could snap, and a few power outages are possible, especially in the foothills west of Reno. Drivers of high-profile vehicles should use extra caution, particularly along exposed stretches of highway.
Rain chances will increase Saturday afternoon and evening, with snow levels starting near 7,400 feet before lowering to around 6,000 feet late Saturday night. Light snow accumulations are possible on Sierra summits and mountain roads near Mount Rose and Donner Summit.
By Sunday, winds will ease but cool air lingers, keeping highs in the mid-50s under partly cloudy skies. Monday turns sunny again with a rebound into the 60s — a brief break before more Pacific systems eye the region midweek.
This weekend marks the first taste of true fall volatility for northern Nevada — windy, wet, and hinting just enough at the winter to come.
