Bands of showers and thunderstorms will make their way through the Sierra, Western Nevada and into Carson City, Carson Valley, Dayton and Virginia City areas by this afternoon, according to a National Weather Service special statement.
Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue to develop this afternoon across the Eastern Sierra and Western Nevada. Most of the showers and storms will stay south of Highway 50 but a few may develop into the Lake Tahoe Basin before pushing east early this evening.
The showers and storms will initially lift slowly north this afternoon but as westerly winds develop after 3 p.m. this will begin to drift more to the east. These westerly winds may also cause additional storm development along the Pine Nut Mountains east of Minden.
The strongest thunderstorms could produce gusty winds near 45 mph with small hail. Very dry air near the surface will limit rainfall to only the strongest storms but these may produce brief, moderate rains over small areas. Occasional cloud to ground lightning is also possible with these storms this afternoon and evening. Most of the showers and storms will dissipate after 8 p.m., according to the weather service.