The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a flash flood watch for the greater Lake Tahoe area from 1pm today through the evening.

The warning includes portions of East Central California and Western Nevada, including Reno, Carson City and the Minden areas, and Mineral and southern Lyon counties.

Abundant moisture and strong instability over the area will allow showers and thunderstorms to produce heavy rain today, weather officials said. The stronger storms may produce rainfall rates of at least 1 inch per hour and bring the potential for flash flooding.

The greatest risk for flash flooding are locations near small creeks and streams, canyons, steep terrain and urban areas. Heavy rain may quickly flood dry creeks, wash out roads and create rock slides.