Meteorologists use phrases like "atmospheric river" and "Pineapple Express" when talking about wet weather in California, but what do they mean?
A Pacific storm system is expected to sweep across Nevada, bringing strong winds and light Sierra snow to the north and breezy, dry conditions to the south.
Friday, Oct. 24, will bring dry, warmer weather to the Truckee Meadows, with highs in the mid-70s before the storm approaches. High temps will hit the mid-60s in western Nevada and Sierra valleys.
A wind advisory is in effect for the Reno-Tahoe region Saturday, Oct. 25, with gusts up to 50 mph in valley areas and ridge gusts near 100 mph in the Sierra. Temperatures will drop by as much as 20 degrees before warming again early next week.
In Southern Nevada, the same system will produce gusty afternoon winds through the weekend but no rain, according to the National Weather Service in Las Vegas. Highs in the Las Vegas Valley will hover around 80 degrees, with clear skies and near-normal conditions Friday.
Nevada weather advisories
The National Weather Service has issued wind advisories for much of Northern Nevada and the Sierra as a Pacific storm system moves through the region.
* Reno-Tahoe region: Wind Advisory from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Southwest winds 25-35 mph, gusts up to 50 mph in valleys and 65 mph in wind-prone areas. Sierra ridge gusts could reach near 100 mph.
* Lake Tahoe Basin: Wind Advisory from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Southwest winds 15-30 mph, gusts up to 45 mph and lake waves 2-4 feet.
* Northern Washoe County, Lassen-Plumas-Eastern Sierra counties and Surprise Valley (CA): Wind Advisory for the same period, with gusts up to 50 mph and localized blowing dust.
No weather advisories were in effect for Southern Nevada, including the Las Vegas Valley, as of Friday afternoon.
What's the weather forecast in Northern Nevada this weekend?
The National Weather Service in Reno expects strong winds and cooler temperatures this weekend as a Pacific storm system moves through the region.
A wind advisory takes effect Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with gusts of 40 to 50 mph in valleys and ridge gusts near 100 mph along the Sierra. The weather service warns of potential crosswind hazards for high-profile vehicles and areas of blowing dust across west-central Nevada.
Rain chances remain low but possible north of U.S. 50, with a quarter to half inch near the Sierra crest and light accumulation in the foothills. Snow levels will hover between 7,500 and 8,500 feet, with only minor slushy snow expected over high passes such as Donner Summit and Mount Rose.
Highs will fall from the mid-70s Friday to the upper 50s Sunday, dropping roughly 15 to 20 degrees before slowly warming again next week.
What's the weather forecast in Southern Nevada this weekend?
In Southern Nevada, the same storm system will bring breezy to gusty conditions through the weekend but no rain, according to the National Weather Service in Las Vegas.
Southwest winds between 20 and 30 mph are expected Saturday, with stronger gusts possible in the southern Sierra, Owens Valley and western Mojave Desert. The Las Vegas Valley will stay mostly sunny with highs around 80 degrees and overnight lows in the upper 50s to low 60s.
The Weather Service said dry and near-normal conditions will continue into next week as the system moves east and high pressure builds back over the region.
Reno area forecast Oct. 24-31
* Friday, Oct. 24: Mostly sunny, high near 75. South winds 5-10 mph becoming west, gusts to 20 mph. Low around 46.
* Saturday, Oct. 25: 30% chance of morning rain. Snow level 7,400-8,800 feet. High near 60. Breezy, southwest winds 20-25 mph, gusts to 45 mph. Low 42.
* Sunday, Oct. 26: 30% chance of morning rain. Snow level near 7,000-8,200 feet. High near 58. Southwest gusts to 30 mph. Low around 38.
* Monday, Oct. 27: Sunny, high near 62. Low 38.
* Tuesday, Oct. 28: Sunny, high near 67. Low around 40.
* Wednesday, Oct. 29: Mostly sunny, high near 70. Low around 41.
* Thursday, Oct. 30: Mostly sunny, high near 70.
Tahoe weather Oct. 24-31
* Friday, Oct. 24: Sunny early, becoming partly cloudy. Highs around 71 at the lake, 61 in higher elevations. Lows 33-43.
* Saturday, Oct. 25: Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow above 7,000 feet. Highs 56 at the lake, 46 in higher elevations. Ridge gusts up to 90 mph. Lows 29-39.
* Sunday, Oct. 26: Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow above 7,500 feet. Highs 53 at the lake, 43 in higher elevations. Lows 24.34.
* Monday, Oct. 27: Clear. Highs 60 at the lake, 50 in higher elevations. Lows 27-37.
* Tuesday, Oct. 28: Clear. Highs 66 at the lake, 56 in higher elevations. Lows 30-40.
* Wednesday, Oct. 29: Partly cloudy. Highs 69 at the lake, 59 in higher elevations. Lows 31-41.
* Thursday, Oct. 30: Partly cloudy. Highs 69 at the lake, 59 in higher elevations. Lows 31-41.
Las Vegas forecast Oct. 22-28
* Friday, Oct. 24: Sunny, high near 81. Low around 59.
* Saturday, Oct. 25: Increasing clouds, high near 83. Winds 5-10 mph, gusts to 20 mph. Low around 60.
* Sunday, Oct. 26: Sunny, high near 80. Low around 59.
* Monday, Oct. 27: Sunny, high near 79. Low around 59.
* Tuesday, Oct. 28: Sunny, high near 80. Low around 60.
* Wednesday, Oct. 29: Sunny, high near 80. Low around 60.
* Thursday, Oct. 30: Mostly clear, high near 81. Low around 60.