A lot of wind and near to record high temperatures will spell the weather for Thursday. A strong and wet, albeit warm Pacific storm system is slowly edging onto the coastline and will bring strong enough winds to kick off a Wind Advisory on Thursday and a High Wind Watch for Friday. Southwest winds Thursday could gust to over 50 mph in the wind prone areas, and could be even stronger Friday. All that downslope flow over the mountains on Thursday will heat valley temperatures up to near 70 degrees (Reno’s record high for the day is 69.) By Friday, more cloudiness and a slight chance of rain will cool things slightly, but should still reach the 60s. By Friday rain will likely start in the Tahoe area (snow levels will probably be above 7,000’, but could drop periodically below pass level), and could be significant north of Highway 50. The strong winds will probably keep us here in Reno shadowed out and dry on Friday, but we have a decent chance of getting some spillover precipitation late Friday night into Saturday morning. Scattered showers Sunday are followed by another storm on Monday.

Wednesday afternoon Pacific IR satellite .