The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Saturday and is warning of a “significant weather change this weekend.”
“Big weather changes are in store for this weekend as a storm pushes into the West bringing periods of gusty winds, a drop in the temperatures, and chances for precipitation,” the NWS said in a special weather statement posted to its website (weather.gov).
“Strong and gusty winds are anticipated Saturday and especially Sunday. Plan on impacts to air/road travel, choppy lake conditions, and areas of blowing dust.”
The fire weather watch is officially for 1 to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
“Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting or campfires.”
Frost is possible early in the work week. While the NWS does entertain the possibility of snow, it would be minimal and at extreme elevation.
“A cool down will begin on Saturday and continue through early next week with high temperatures dropping a solid 20 degrees by Sunday-Monday,” the statement said. “Frosts and freezes (are) likely for outlying rural areas and suburban valleys Monday through Wednesday mornings. Be sure to cover your sensitive vegetation if you`re still enjoying those outdoor gardens.
“Best chances for rainfall will be near and north of I-80 Saturday night into Sunday with lighter rain possible south of there. A few flakes are possible above 10,000 feet, but accumulation is unlikely.”
THE FORECAST
Friday: Widespread haze after noon. Sunny, with a high near 86. Light southeast wind becoming west 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
Friday night: Widespread haze. Clear, with a low around 46. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Breezy, with a southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Saturday night: Clear, with a low around 48. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Breezy.
Sunday night: A chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
