Smoke envelopes Carson City region, overnight thunderstorm threat prompts Red Flag warning
With the threat of thunderstorms creating new fire starts, a Red Flag Warning has been issued Sunday evening into Monday morning by the National Weather Service for Carson City, the Lake Tahoe Basin and throughout the entire Northern Nevada region.
The Red Flag Warning is from 8 p.m. Sunday to 11 a.m. Monday. Affected areas are the Northern Sierra Front, including Washoe County, Carson City, Douglas, Storey and Lyon counties, as well as Lassen, Plumas, Sierra and Nevada counties in California.
The main period of concern for thunderstorm potential is Sunday evening through Monday morning, with faster moving storms producing lightning and limited rainfall.
Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them.
Storms may be a hybrid of wet and dry, but the faster storm motions will likely allow for lightning strikes outside of the main thunderstorm core. With resources already stretched thin, any new fire starts will be an issue.
Outflow winds of 40 to 50 mph wind gusts are possible.
Meanwhile, a Dense Smoke Advisory remains in effect as of Sunday morning. Smoke, including thicker particulate matter from active fires across northeast California, will continue to affect the area, especially north of Highway 50.
As of 8 a.m. Sunday, the air quality was in the "unhealthy range" in Carson City, eastward along Highway 50 into Lyon County, Carson Valley, and the greater Reno area. Check airnow.gov for the latest air quality.
Air quality may fluctuate or improve slightly at times; however, it is expected to remain unhealthy into Sunday morning, according to the weather service.
The Dense Smoke Advisory is for Carson City, the Lake Tahoe Basin, Douglas County, Lyon County, Washoe County, the Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake and Mineral counties. On the California side, the advisor is for Surprise Valley, Lassen and Plumas counties.
Visibility below 3 miles at times with unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups and those spending a prolonged period of time outdoors. Winds are forecast to turn toward the south Sunday or Monday. This should help to direct the thickest smoke away from western Nevada and the Sierra.
The weather service advises people to stay indoors as much as possible when smoke is present. Avoid strenuous activity, especially if you are sensitive to poor air quality, such as the elderly, children and anyone with chronic illness or respiratory problems. NWS advises to consider postponing outdoor activities.
The weather services advises the following: Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires. Follow local fire restrictions. For Carson City area weather, watches and warnings see CarsonWeather.com.
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