Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
809 FXUS65 KVEF 220839 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 139 AM PDT Wed May 22 2024 .SYNOPSIS...A mean trough will hold over the western states this week into the holiday weekend resulting in dry conditions, mainly clear skies, seasonal temperatures, and gusty afternoon winds. && .SHORT TERM...Today and Thursday. Strong high pressure centered over the Pacific Ocean will continue to allow storm systems to bring weather impacts to areas mainly north of us through Thursday. A leading shortwave ahead of its parent low over the PacNW will move across northern Nevada this morning with little fanfare but will then be followed by the main low which will result in gusty southerly winds across much of the region this afternoon. The strongest winds will over the higher elevations of the Sierra, the western parts of San Bernardino County, and across southcentral Nevada where gusts of 25-35 mph are expected. The gusty conditions will continue across our southern deserts tonight and Thursday. No significant winds are anticipated and no wind headlines are in effect. However, the gustiness could result in increased driving difficulties for high profile vehicles as well as raise dust downwind of dry lake beds causing some reduction in visibility at times. The track of the system should keep any shower activity confined to areas north of our area. Otherwise, clear and dry conditions along with seasonal temperatures are expected through Thursday. .LONG TERM...Friday through Tuesday. Lower than normal heights in place across the area early in the period Friday and Saturday. Models do show a shortwave trough moving through California/southern Nevada Friday/Friday night, then it quickly moves east across Arizona Saturday. Therefore, the beginning of the long Memorial Day Holiday Weekend will be windy across the western Mojave Desert with gusts 30-40 mph both days for Barstow and Fort Irwin. Elsewhere, for the Lake Mead NRA and Lake Havasu stronger gusts of 20-30 mph will occur Friday, with gusts in the 15- 25 mph range Saturday. There will be a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms from the southern Sierra of Inyo County northeast into east central Nevada Friday. On Saturday any lingering shot for a shower or thunderstorm will be in east central Nevada. Looks like a great second half to the long weekend with rising heights Sunday-Tuesday. Temperatures will be on the rise while winds for those heading to the large reservoirs will be less of an impact. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...Light and variable winds this morning may briefly turn south-southeast 19Z-20Z before becoming southwest gusting 15-20 knots around 20Z-21Z this afternoon and persist through this evening and overnight. North winds 10-15 knots will likely develop after 15Z Thursday. Clear skies. S For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...Variable winds less than 10 knots this morning will become southwest or west generally 15-25 knots early this afternoon through this evening. North-northwest winds 10-20 knots will spread down through the region late tonight through Thursday morning then decrease during the afternoon. VFR conditions and clear skies prevail. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ SHORT TERM...Salmen LONG TERM...Pierce AVIATION...Adair For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter