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Mammoth Weather Outlook
Critical “fire weather” set up today Saturday as Rare for Summer upper jet of 100 knots is forecast to move from Northern CA over the Sierra Today…..
Saturday August 4, 2018
From NWS RNO AFD:
A rare (for summer), strong jet streak with wind speeds in excess of 100 kts, is forecast to move from Northern California over the Sierra and Northern Nevada today.
This will create a 4-8 hour period of dangerous fire weather conditions with widespread wind gusts of 35-45 mph and up to 65 mph along the ridges. These winds combined with relative humidities of 5-15% will create a
Particularly Dangerous Situation so PDS Red Flag Warning are in effect today.
While the Red Flag conditions the last few days have been marginal, today will not. The conditions expected today are a rare event, on the order of once a summer.
If your recreation plans are going to be on the water, be prepared for much bigger waves than usual this afternoon.
From Fire Weather (WSFO RENO):
FIRE WEATHER…
Today is the day to watch out for with very strong winds and low humidity making for a Particularly Dangerous Situation and Red Flag Warnings in effect for the entire region. Wind gusts this afternoon are expected to reach 35-45 mph with wind prone
locations and ridge tops seeing even stronger winds. The timing of the strongest winds will be from approximately noon through 9 pm. With relative humidity in the 5-15% range, the combination of wind and low humidity could cause any ongoing fires to experience
a large increase in fire activity that could break containment lines. If any new fires were to start, they would likely grow and spread extremely rapidly. Air support operations could be heavily impacted by winds as well. Any personnel working on or near
existing or new fires would be in danger. This is one of those rare events that typically only occurs maybe once a summer.
Conditions improve Sunday with lighter winds that will be around typical afternoon speeds (peak gusts 18-30 mph along the Sierra Front). Humidity really doesn`t change with dry conditions continuing, however the slightly lighter winds will at least help.
Winds decrease further through early next week with lighter than average afternoon breezes expected. Temperatures do cool this weekend which should allow for improved recoveries overnight for Sierra valleys at least. Temperatures turn hot again by Tuesday
and Wednesday with triple digit heat in the forecast. -Dawn
Updating…………………