MEMORIAL DAY WEATHER

• “Thunderstorms Today-Monday -- Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected each afternoon and early evening through the weekend. The highest risk for storms will be over the Sierra with varying chances for storms into western Nevada. I think the overall biggest thunderstorm day looks to be Sunday at this point. Any storms we see could produce the usual cornucopia of impacts -- hail with slick roads, frequent lightning, periods of heavy rain and localized flooding, and gusty winds to 50 mph.
  • For any outdoor events -- please have a rain or lightning plan in place, a sturdy shelter people can get to if a thunderstorm develops, and of course a method of receiving NWS alerts such as iNWS or a radar app. There will be lots of hikers and boaters out who will be prone to thunderstorms so help us get the message out that they should keep an eye on the sky in the afternoons and evenings. See the attached lightning safety reminder graphic. Also note when it rains, temperatures will drop rapidly from the 70s/80s to the 40s -- hypothermia for those exposed outdoors!
• Heating Up Next Week -- Our simulations have become more emphatic showing temperatures warming quickly to well above normal starting around Tuesday lasting through the week. We are likely to see highs 90-95 in W Nev valleys. Now's the time to check that air conditioner! This will be the first pronounced heat of summer and people won't be as adapted to heat effects quite yet. So it's a good idea to take some extra precautions such as breaks and lots of water if doing outdoor work. This is also the time to remind people not to leave children or pets in cars. Even with temperatures "only" in the 80s, cars will become ovens quite rapidly. Like minutes.
• River Rises -- Warming temperatures will cause our higher elevation snowpack to melt off more quickly so we'll probably see enhanced rises in creeks and some rivers next week. At this time our simulations for the main rivers do not show them reaching monitor/flood stage through Wednesday.”

Courtesy Plumas National Forest