Heat wave not about to let up

The storms that generated the Jackass fire just southeast of Carson Valley are headed this way and there isn't much relief in sight, according to Rudy Cruz, weather service specialist with the National Weather Service.

A cloud bank is moving in from the south bringing the chance of showers, but the air is so dry right now any precipitation is dissipated before it has a chance to hit the ground in most cases.

"Unfortunately, dry lightning comes with that lack of precipitation," he said. "That's just the way it is, until the atmosphere is more saturated."

A 30 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms is forecast for today, that chance decreasing to 10 to 20 percent Thursday and then picking up again Friday.

"Kind of like a roller coaster," Cruz said

The storm pattern is the result of a high pressure system over the four corners area, a classic pattern for this time of year, he said.

The pattern is set with a monsoon push flowing clockwise around the high. That pattern is drifting north, setting up a southeast flow into Western Nevada, according to information from the National Weather Service.

High pressure is building and will keep temperatures hot, in the 90s and low 100s into next week, Cruz said.

"It's going to be a pretty long stretch, but the high could start breaking down a little bit around the 28th of July," he said. "Then we'll get a drier flow, but we're sure to see the thunderstorms between now and then."

Temperatures are 5-7 degrees above normal outside of urban areas this July, which records show is the hottest month of the year. This run of high temperatures was preceded by hot spells in both May and June, but neither lasted for more than a few days, Cruz said.

"It's not unusual to see something like this, but established records show the heat usually lasts about 5-7 days," Cruz said.

n Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.