Expect thunderstorms, wind, hail and rainbows to dominate weather pattern for at least a week

The weather of 2023 is going to continue to stay interesting, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

“In my 12 years here, I don’t recall having this kind of consistency with thunderstorms,” said National Weather Service Senior Meteorologist Edan Lindaman.

Lindaman said the late afternoon rain, wind and thunderstorms are on the forecast for at least the next week.

It comes following the same pattern in May, with showers and thunderstorms stuck on repeat.  

The pattern isn’t uncommon for a few days at a time, but to see it dominate a 10-day forecast and beyond is unusual, Lindaman said.

The cause? Northern Nevada is in a low-pressure system causing the cooler and wetter weather.

Highs aren’t expected to top the 80s and nights have dropped down to the 40s.  

“A high-pressure system in Canada and Alaska is leaving us with the unusual weather,” Lindaman said.

But the payoff is rainbows and scenic sunrises and sunsets, Lindaman said.

She said the National Weather Service is warning people to pay attention to the forecast and be prepared to curb activities based on afternoon storms.

She said lighting is being seen at record levels.

The risk of a lightning strike causing a fire is being hedged off a bit by the wetter weather.

“Thankfully we are still in green up conditions,” Lindaman said. “With everything still very green it’s not as receptive to a fire start.”