Kevin Clifford/Nevada Appeal Sara Meierdierck, 9, cools off by going down a water slide Friday afternoon at the Carson City Aquatic Center. The temperature reached about 99 degrees Friday. Weekend temperatures are expected to hit triple digits.
A high-pressure system is contributing to a near-record temperature weekend in Northern Nevada, with triple digits forecasted through tomorrow.
Temperatures were expected to flirt with the record high of 99 degrees Friday and break triple digits this afternoon and Sunday before cooling slightly on Monday, according to the National Weather Service Office in Reno.
Carsonweather.com recorded a high temperature of 97 degrees in Carson City on Friday.
If the Reno area hits 100 degrees today, it will still fall short of the 103 degree record temperature set in 1988.
The system sitting over eastern California and western Nevada is helping drive the high temperatures. It is expected to remain until the middle of next week.
High pressure causes the downward motion of air that heats up as it falls and increases temperatures on the ground, according to meteorologist Ray Collins.
The high pressure is causing high temperatures between 95 degrees and 105 degrees for the lower valleys in California and Nevada. Temperatures are expected to decrease slightly next week as the system begins to weaken.
Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are also forecasted for the area through Thursday.
Generally Carson City is 3 to 4 degrees cooler than Reno for both high and low temperatures.
"Part of it is because of where the equipment is placed, and (Reno) has more buildings and urbanization, which tends to increase temperatures," Collins said. "The lows are also 3 or 4 degrees cooler as well for the same reasons."
During the summer months, it is not unusual for the temperature to climb between 6 and 8 degrees per hour, especially during the hottest hours in the afternoon, he said.
The National Weather Service has advised that, "persons planning outdoor activities should be prepared to reduce or adjust outdoor activity during the afternoon heat. Rapid dehydration and severe sunburn are threats with summer sun and hot temperatures."
• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.