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

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