Wind, rain, and cool temperatures factor into the Burning Man weather forecast

Below-normal temperatures, high winds and light rain are all in the forecast for the weekend of the annual Burning Man festival due to an early storm preparing to move into California and Nevada.

The Reno office of the National Weather Service describes the system as “abnormally cold” and issued a Special weather statement Wednesday for anyone with outdoor plans in western Nevada over the three-day Labor Day weekend: “Make sure you’re prepared for the cold, wet, and windy conditions.” The system is also expected to affect parts of Northern California.

The Burning Man festival kicked off in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert on August 27 and concluded on September 4. On Wednesday, the festival was in full swing with art cars and decorated bikes cruising the playa amid the hot weather. Wednesday afternoon’s high is expected to be in the mid-80s. The baking heat will not last for long. Afternoon highs Friday through Monday are expected to be in the 70s. Overnight lows are expected to be in the 40s to 50s over the weekend. These temperatures aren’t very cold, but they are lower than normal area at this time of year.

“It’s definitely going to be better weather for the stoves out there,” said Amanda Young, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Windy weather is expected on Thursday and Friday. The strongest winds are likely Thursday afternoon and evening, with sustained winds of 20 mph and isolated gusts of 30 to 35 mph, Weather Service meteorologist Dustin Norman said.

“Normally, at these wind speeds, depending on how dry the playa is, it’s enough to kick up some dust in the area,” Norman said. On Friday, the most strong winds will be south of the Black Rock Desert.

There is a chance of light rain from Thursday to Monday. The weather service expects the Black Rock Desert to record up to two-tenths of an inch within four days. Thursday night, the chance of rain is very small, only about 10%.

Friday brings the highest chance of rain at 15% to 20% in the morning and 30% to 40% in the afternoon.

Young said: “It seems that the best chance of rain will be on Friday, and this may limit the blowing of some dust.” “In fact, there might be some mud flying around.”

Friday afternoon, there is also a 25% chance of thunderstorms. “The biggest threat this weekend is thunderstorms and the highest chance is on Friday,” Norman said.

The chance of rain remains from Saturday to Monday, but remained slight as of Wednesday.

Festival organizers urged attendees to expect strong winds and rain. “In the event of strong winds, participants are encouraged to fortify their camps to ensure that valuables are safe and cannot be blown away, and to help their neighbours,” festival organizers said in a statement. Organizers warned that if it rains, attendees should not drive or ride their bicycles, and not operate any “generators or other electrically powered tools that are in the water”.