Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
858 FXUS65 KVEF 012254 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 354 PM PDT Wed May 1 2024 .SYNOPSIS...Another day of warm temperatures, mostly clear skies, and afternoon breezes today before a weather system briefly moderates temperatures and returns gusty north-northwest winds to the forecast area. Temperatures will warm once again through the remainder of the work week before another weather system approaches late weekend into early next week. && .DISCUSSION...Today through next Wednesday. Gusty north-northwest winds will continue this evening across the forecast area, but will decrease after sunset. As the associated trough pushes eastward on Thursday out of the Great Basin, gradients will tighten along the Colorado River Valley, resulting in gusty north winds at Lake Mohave near Laughlin / Bullhead City and Needles. Winds Thursday have decreased in speed compared to previous forecast runs, so no wind-related headline is expected. Heights will continue to rise going into the weekend, with mostly clear skies and temperatures remaining above-average through Saturday. Models are in much more agreement, with the GEFS ensemble mean much more aligned with the ECMWF ensemble mean regarding this weekend`s weather system. A closed low will push into the Pacific Northwest on Saturday which will tighten gradients across the Great Basin. Thus, strong gusty south-southwest winds will pick up across the forecast area on Saturday with widespread Wind Advisories likely. Winds will become northwesterly on Sunday as the trough axis pushes through the area. Expect increased precipitation chances Sunday across south- central Nevada and the higher terrain of southeastern California and northwestern Arizona with scattered thunderstorms. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...North-northwest to north-northeast winds with occasional gusts to 25kts will gradually decrease during the afternoon. Winds should fall below 10kts after sunset and remain below that level through tomorrow afternoon. Directions will remain northerly until around sunrise on Wednesday before starting a gradual transition clockwise to the southwest by late afternoon. VFR conditions will prevail throughout the entire TAF period. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...Northerly winds with occasional gusts will continue through the afternoon at most area TAF sites. The exception will be in the southern portions of the Colorado River Valley, including KEED, where winds will remain southerly into the evening before turning north. Winds will diminish overnight while remaining out of the north. Except for KEED and KIFP, winds will stay north to northeast Thursday with speeds remaining 10kts or less. Winds in the Colorado River Valley will be higher, with occasional gusts to 25kts possible. VFR conditions will prevail throughout the entire TAF period in all areas. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION...Varian AVIATION...Planz For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter