Monday's forecast: Warm with lesser chances for showers and thunderstorms

Another warm but unfortunately hazy and smoky day is in store today but perhaps not as bad in the morning hours thanks to the showers and thunderstorms in the area yesterday. 

Expect partly cloudy skies today with most showers and thunderstorms remaining south and east of the lake due to the more southwest steering flow which will provide the best chances south and east of a line from Markleeville to Gardnerville. 

High temperatures today will warm into the 80s with lower 70s at higher elevations.  Winds will be light until the afternoon when west to southwest winds should increase to the 10 to 20 mph range with some higher gusts possible over the ridge tops. 

These winds will also help to carry more smoke in from the fires on the west slopes of the Sierra by late afternoon.

Tonight should see hazy and smokey skies with lows dropping down into 40s except for mid 50s along the north and east shores of the lake and higher elevations. 

Unfortunately there really is no end in sight for the haze and smoke which continues to plague our region until a significant pattern change takes place.

— Simon Smith is the former Co-Op observer for the National Weather Service in Reno. He is substituting this week for Tom Clyke who is on vacation.