Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
119 FXUS65 KVEF 072259 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 339 PM PDT Tue May 7 2024 .SYNOPSIS...Gusty north-northwest winds expected today and Wednesday across the forecast area. Temperatures will drop once again on Wednesday before gradually increasing through the rest of the week into the weekend. && .DISCUSSION...Today through next Monday. Just one day of near-average temperatures expected across the forecast area today before temperatures drop 8 to 10 degrees Wednesday afternoon. This is in response to a shortwave trough pushing through the Desert Southwest along our dry northwesterly flow aloft. This system will be fairly dry, with no chances of precipitation expected; however, there will be enough moisture to increase afternoon relative humidities to between 15 and 25% across the southern Great Basin, which is notable as we head into fire season. As north-south surface pressure gradients tighten with the approach of this shortwave, north-northwest winds will pick up across the area. This has already been observed today with gusts between 25 and 35 mph measured across south-central Nevada. As the system moves overhead on Wednesday, these gusty north winds will focus along the Colorado River Valley. High pressure building in the eastern Pacific coupled with topographic enhancement along the Colorado River Valley will result in gusts between 35 and 45 mph impacting Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu, and eastern San Bernardino County. Highest gusts will be observed near Laughlin / Bullhead City, with dangerous wave heights possible on Lake Mohave. Recreational boating will be dangerous through Thursday, as these gusty winds persist through Thursday evening. As a result, Wind Advisories will go into effect starting at 11pm tonight and will continue through 5pm Wednesday evening. Expect afternoon breeziness through the remainder of the work week and the weekend as the aforementioned shortwave trough closes off over northern Arizona and loiters in the region through Saturday. Ridging sets up over the region late-weekend into the start of the next work week with temperatures increasing to above-average. Mid-to- upper 90s will return to the desert valleys midweek. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...Light and variable or north winds through the afternoon hours, with breezy north winds arriving this evening and overnight. Given the lack of north winds thus far, despite almost all guidance developing them by now, there is some uncertainty of when the gusts will arrive. Current thinking is sometime between 02z and 05z. Sustained winds of 10-15 knots with gusts 20-25 knots. Chance of 30+ knot winds remains around 10% until around 15z tomorrow when it increases to 35%. Tomorrow morning will be the period of strongest winds (25-30 knots), with northerly breezes gradually weakening through the afternoon. FEW-SCT high clouds with clearing skies overnight. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...Light winds in the Las Vegas Valley this afternoon, with breezy north winds around 20 knots arriving in the evening. These persist through the night and peak tomorrow morning at 25-30 knots. Breezy north winds also expected to develop at KBIH shortly and persist through the TAF period. At KDAG, expecting gusty west winds through the rest of today and into tomorrow morning before the turn to the NNE. In the Colorado River Valley, southerly breezes this afternoon and evening give way to gusty north winds tonight and tomorrow. KIFP should see the strongest winds of any TAF site, with gusts 30-40+ knots. No CIG or visibility issues anticipated with dry conditions and FEW-SCT high clouds. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION...Varian AVIATION...Woods For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter