Jeff Thompson
Chief Meteorologist
Reno
How do you make a meteorologist? A tornado may have been the culprit when it hit Jeff Thompson’s house in Little Rock, Arkansas, on December 2, 1982. Already curious about science, Jeff started collecting books and watching weathercasts. He was one of those “Weather Channel Kids” that would watch repeating coverage for hours on that emerging network.
Strangely, after growing up in tornado country, Jeff would find his way west. For more than two decades, he has covered fires, floods, drought, winter weather, coastal weather, and mountain-valley interactions. It all started at KTVH in Helena, Montana, where Jeff kept an eye on the big sky. From there, he moved to Reno to work at the NBC affiliate for 7 years. He commuted to Sacramento to work at KCRA for a year, then returned to the Reno market to join KTVN for 3 years and KOLO for 8 (and counting) as chief meteorologist.
Along the way, Jeff finished his master's degree in Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Nevada, worked for the Nevada State Climate Office, taught college courses at the University of Nevada, flew with the USAF Thunderbirds, and recently won an Emmy with his KOLO team. Jeff is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist with the American Meteorological Society and has the National Weather Association’s Seal of Approval.
Jeff has been married for 16 years to Teresa Benitez-Thompson. They have 4 kids and a silly puggle (dog). Jeff enjoys travel, gardening, birding, hiking, and running. He finished his first marathon last December.
After a chilly, partly cloudy Wednesday, snow showers drop into the forecast for the Friday morning commute and the weekend. While snowfall totals will be light, expect controls over the passes and be prepared for some slick spots around the valleys. Milder, dry weather returns next week. -Jeff
Cold, dry weather will continue to one more day. Expect more clouds and Sierra snow showers Wednesday into Thursday. A stronger, but fast-moving, system will dive through the region Thursday night into Friday. Be prepared for snow at all elevations on the Friday morning commute. -Jeff
The weekend will be sunny, but chilly. Bundle up in the mornings for sure! Next week will be milder, but unsettled. Expect more clouds, with a slight chance of showers after about Thursday. -Jeff
A sharp cold front will bring rain and snow showers Thanksgiving morning for western Nevada, then into central and eastern Nevada by afternoon and evening. Most areas will not get much precipitation, but some slick spots are possible, especially east of Winnemucca. Black Friday and the weekend will be much colder, with a slow warming trend next week. -Jeff
Wednesday will be the mildest day of the week, and will also stay quiet for travel. A sharp cold front will bring a burst of rain and snow showers on Thursday, followed by sunny, cold weather for Black Friday and the weekend. Happy Thanksgiving! -Jeff
The weather looks great this year for Thanksgiving travel. Expect temperatures to warm through Wednesday, under partly cloudy skies. A weak system will bring some light rain and snow to some areas on Thanksgiving Day, followed by another shot of much colder weather for Black Friday and the weekend. Enjoy the ups and downs of the season! -Jeff
An area of low pressure will keep rain in the forecast, with falling snow levels by Saturday evening. Carry chains in the Sierra. Skies will clear on a much cooler Sunday. Thanksgiving week looks dry and a little warmer for easy travel this year (at least weather-wise). -Jeff
An area of low pressure will keep the weather unsettled through early Sunday. Expect rain showers, with high elevation snow in the Sierra. Snow levels will fall to valley floors by Sunday morning, as the system lifts out. Next week will be cool and dry for Thanksgiving Week travel. A weak system is possible on Thanksgiving Day. Stay tuned! -Jeff
Showers overnight will taper off for valleys into Thursday morning, but persist in the Sierra. Friday night into Saturday, another wave will bring more moisture. Expect snow levels to stay above 7,000' through Friday, then dip to possibly Lake Tahoe level on Saturday. Thanksgiving Week looks mild and dry, not good for Sierra snowpack, but great for travel this year. -Jeff
An area of low pressure off of the West Coast will bring clouds and unsettled weather our way. Expect a chance of rain showers for valleys by Wednesday night into Thursday, with snow in the Sierra above 7,500'. This system will move inland to our south Friday into the weekend. This will keep a chance of showers going through Saturday evening. Carry chains over the passes. -Jeff
An area of low pressure will spin clouds our way and slide to our south through the end of the week. This system will bring a chance of showers, mainly south of I-80, from Wednesday through the weekend. Snow levels will stay high, above about 7,000'. After starting the week in the 60s, valley locations will cool into the 50s by the weekend. -Jeff
Warm, quiet weather is in the forecast for Veterans' Day Weekend. A storm system will approach the coast next week, possibly moving inland by Wednesday into Thursday. While most precipitation is expected to stay south, there is still uncertainty on track and timing of the system. Stay tuned! -Jeff
Dry, warmer weather is coming our way for Veterans' Day Weekend. A storm is possible next week, but timing and track are still uncertain. Stay tuned! -Jeff
After another very cold start, Thursday will kick off our warming trend that will roll right through the weekend. Veterans' Day Weekend will be dry and mild, with partly cloudy skies. A storm system next week will bring wind, rain, and snow, but the speed and track are still uncertain. Stay tuned! -Jeff
Clearing, cool weather is in the forecast for Wednesday. Expect a slow warming trend for the rest of the week, along with occasional clouds. Veterans' Day Weekend will be mild and quiet. A stronger storm is possible around Tuesday of next week. Stay tuned! -Jeff
After a few showers pop on Tuesday, the rest of the work week will by chilly, but dry. Expect warmer weather for Veterans' Day Weekend, with a few clouds at times. -Jeff
Much cooler weather is in the forecast through the work week. After a chance of rain and snow showers on Tuesday, skies will clear for a few days. A weak system will bring some clouds and wind on Friday, followed by a milder Veterans' Day Weekend. -Jeff
Unseasonably warm weather will hold for another day or so, but the wind and clouds will increase through the weekend. Much colder, showery weather is coming Monday into Tuesday, with snow levels falling as low as Lake Tahoe-level. Roll those clocks back one hour this weekend, as we go back to standard time Sunday at 2 AM. -Jeff
Unseasonably warm weather will hold until the middle of Saturday, followed by cooler, unsettled conditions through Tuesday night. Clouds, wind, cooler weather, and snow are possible. Snow levels will start very high over the weekend, but fall to Lake Tahoe-level early next week. We roll the clocks back one hour to standard time this weekend. -Jeff
Warmer weather is in the forecast Thursday and Friday, with 70s likely for many valley locations. More clouds and wind will drift our way ahead of a stormy change for the weekend. Showers are possible Saturday through early Wednesday, although no day looks like a really wet day. Snow levels will start high in the the Sierra, then mix down to Lake Tahoe by early next week. We roll back to standard time this Sunday at 2 AM. -Jeff
Milder, unsettled weather arrives with November. Several storm systems will push clouds, wind, and rain our way by the weekend. Don't forget to roll the clocks back one hour on Saturday night before you go to bed, as we fall back to standard time at 2 AM on Sunday. -Jeff
The weather will slowly warm back up this week as November arrives. Expect occasional clouds on Halloween night, with dry weather and milder temperatures. More unsettled weather is likely Thursday through the weekend, with more wind a chance of showers. Don't forget to roll the clocks back one hour to standard time when you go to bed Saturday night. -Jeff
The weather will slowly warm back up this week as November arrives. Expect occasional clouds on Halloween night, with dry weather and milder temperatures. More unsettled weather is likely Thursday through the weekend, with more wind a chance of showers. Don't forget to roll the clocks back one hour to standard time when you go to be Saturday night. -Jeff
More cold air will spill into the Silver State over Nevada Day Weekend. Bundle up at the Nevada Day Parade in Carson City and at the Wolf Pack game. The weather will moderate somewhat for Halloween into November. A few showers are possible next Thursday into Friday. -Jeff
Freezing mornings and mild afternoons are in the forecast for the rest of the month, with hard freezes area-wide over Nevada Day Weekend. Temperatures will start to warm next week, which will deliver a milder Halloween. Rain and snow are not in the picture until at least Thursday of next week. -Jeff
Cold mornings and mild afternoons are in the forecast through next week. A hard freeze is likely over the weekend, as a dry cold front pushes through Friday night into Saturday. The Nevada Day Parade and Halloween look dry this year. -Jeff
Expect a windy Wednesday, ahead of a sharp cold front. This system will bring rain and snow showers Wednesday evening into Wednesday night, with a few inches possible in the Sierra. A second, drier, but colder system is on the way Friday night. Widespread hard freezes are expected. -Jeff
Much colder weather is coming, as two systems take aim at our region. The first will drop in Wednesday into Wednesday night. While amounts will be light, rain and snow showers will form with the cold front and linger into Thursday morning. Snow levels will dip to valley floors. The second storm is due Friday into Saturday. It is colder, with a widespread hard freeze expected at all elevations over the weekend. This is the week to winterize your irrigation system and property. -Jeff
More clouds and cooler weather are in the forecast for the weekend and into next week. A few showers are possible Sunday into Monday, and again with a cold front next Wednesday. Keep the wardrobe flexible! -Jeff
After a very warm Friday, cooler, breezy weather will arrive over the weekend. Some showers are possible Sunday afternoon into early Monday. Another, colder system is possible after Wednesday of next week. Stay tuned! -Jeff
Aside from some smoke and haze from prescribed burns, the big weather story is the heat. Abnormally warm temperatures will tie or set records Thursday and Friday in many spots. A trough of low pressure will then bring cooler, breezy weather for the weekend, with possible showers Sunday into Monday. A second cold front could bring another round in the middle of next week. Stay tuned! -Jeff
Dry, quiet weather will continue through Saturday morning. Some haze will drift our way at times from prescribed burns. Very warm weather Thursday and Friday could tie or set records. A trough of low pressure will bring wind, a cool down, and possible rain and snow Sunday into next week. Stay tuned! -Jeff
Sunny skies and warmer weather are in the forecast this week, with possible record highs on Thursday and Friday. Another trough will bring cooler, breezy weather by the weekend. -Jeff
Warmer with a few clouds over the weekend. Highs could hit 80 by Sunday across western Nevada. A weak trough will bring some wind and cool temperatures a bit Monday night through Tuesday. Another warming trend is in the forecast for the latter half of next week. -Jeff
More clouds and more warmth are in the forecast over the next few days. Expect a few clouds on Saturday morning during the annular solar eclipse (peak time 9:21 AM in Reno). Highs will warm up to around 80 for valleys by Sunday and Monday. Next week looks breezy and a little cooler. -Jeff
Many areas will see the first freeze of autumn on Thursday morning. A warming trend will follow, pushing valleys back into the 70s by the weekend. A weak system will push some clouds our way on Saturday, which could interfere with eclipse viewing. The warming trend will top out on Monday, followed by a cool-down next week. The eclipse will peak at 9:21 AM on Saturday in Reno. -Jeff
Cooler, breezy weather is in the forecast for the next few days, with the first freeze of the fall possible Thursday morning. Expect a warming trend for the end of the week and weekend, although more clouds could muddy up the view of the annular solar eclipse on Saturday morning. Stay tuned! -Jeff
Breezy, cooler weather is in the forecast through Wednesday, with a few showers possible. A Freeze Watch is in effect for Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Most areas will at least dip into the 30s. The end of the week will bring warmer weather, but also more clouds. This could muddy up the viewing of the annular solar eclipse on Saturday morning. Stay tuned! -Jeff
Sunny, very warm weather is expected over the weekend. A cool, showery change will come next week, as a cold front moves through the area Monday night. Cooler weather will settle in for a few days next week, warming again after Wednesday. -Jeff
Sunny, warmer weather is in the forecast through the weekend. A trough of low pressure will drop temperatures and increase wind by Tuesday, with a chance of showers. Stay tuned and enjoy! -Jeff
Cool mornings and warmer afternoons are in the sunny forecast. Temperatures will top out in the 80s for valley locations, with 70s up at Lake Tahoe. A trough next week will bring another temperature dip, with a chance of showers. Enjoy! -Jeff
Sunny, warmer weather is in the forecast through the weekend. Valley highs will rise back into the low 80s by Friday. A trough of low pressure will bring another cool-down next week, with wind and clouds from Tuesday into Wednesday. Enjoy the great fall weather! -Jeff
Sunny, warmer weather is in the forecast through the weekend. Expect valley highs to climb back into the low 80s by Friday, with 70s for Lake Tahoe. Enjoy! -Jeff
A trough of low pressure will bring cooler, unsettled weather through Monday. Showers are likely through at least the first half of Sunday, with some light snow in the High Sierra. A few T-storms could pop across western Nevada in the afternoon hours. Next week will be dry, with a warming trend. -Jeff
Clouds and wind will increase on Friday, ahead of a much cooler weekend. A few showers and T-storms are possible, along with some High Sierra snow. Snow levels will fall to around 7,500' over the weekend, with most accumulation south of Highway 50. Next week looks warmer and dry. -Jeff
A deep trough of low pressure will bring a windy Friday, followed by a much cooler, showery weekend. High Sierra snow is possible Saturday through Monday. Next week will dry out, with a warming trend in the forecast. Here comes October! -Jeff
Sunny, seasonal weather will hold through early Friday. Some smoke and haze could drift north as far as Highway 50 at times from the Quarry Fire. A deep trough of low pressure will bring gusty wind on Friday, followed by much cooler, unsettled weather for the weekend. Sierra snow is possible. Stay tuned! -Jeff
Quiet, seasonal weather is in the forecast through Thursday, with warm days and cool mornings. A potent trough of low pressure will bring wind on Friday, followed by showers and much cooler weather for the weekend. High Sierra snow is possible with this system. Stay tuned! -Jeff
The first weekend of autumn will be pleasant, with a few clouds and warm afternoons. Next week, a couple systems will bring unsettled weather at times, with some cooling, clouds, and a few showers. -Jeff
After a cold start on Friday, expect a sunny, pleasant afternoon. The weekend will be warmer, with clouds increasing by Sunday. Next week looks breezy and cooler, with several systems pushing into the Pacific Northwest. Fall arrives Friday night, at 11:49 PM. -Jeff
