Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
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371 FXUS65 KVEF 120841 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 1241 AM PST Wed Nov 12 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... * High confidence that a trough of low pressure will bring gusty winds and increased precipitation chances to the region late Thursday through the weekend, but low confidence in details and impacts. * Well above normal temperatures today and Thursday will become much colder temperatures by Saturday and continue into next week. * The active but low confidence weather patten continues early next week. && .DISCUSSION...through Tuesday. The latest runs of model and ensemble data continue to show drastic changes in how the incoming upper level trough evolves and impacts the region. Today should remain low impact and dry then after that it`s more unknown. Was hoping to see some run to run or model to model consistency to increase confidence so I could better communicate impacts and make headline (or no headline) decisions- but that has not happened unfortunately. Not only has the system slowed down (again), but the way the low center deepens, cuts off, and shifts through the Southwest US looks like a completely different system then when this forecaster put together yesterday`s forecast. In addition- snow levels have come in much high as the continued southerly flow due to the slower, deeper system pumps warmer air into the region. Considered doing something with the Winter Storm Watch in the Sierra that starts Thursday morning, but will give it one more model run to hopefully better identify snow and impact timing and elevations (though of note: Thursday morning start time is likely too early as HREF members model reflectivity don`t bring anything into the Sierra until at least Thursday evening and keeps much of the region dry). Winds on Thursday will increase in response to increasing pressure gradient. Widespread southwest gusts to 25-35 MPH likely. The potential exists for higher gusts to 40 MPH and wind impacts in the Western Mojave Desert through central Nye County, however probabilities for gusts over 40 MPH have been decreasing and it may be a limited time for these gusts which would limit impacts. This along with the overall uncertainty with this system, held off on issuing any Wind Advisories as confidence is too low winds will reach impactful levels. After Thursday, winds should be lighter as the low center moves in and the pressure gradient decreases. The latest forecast is slower to spread precipitation chances across the region Thursday night and Friday, and now has the highest chance and rainfall amounts Saturday. EFIs suggest anomalous rainfall amounts at times late Friday through Sunday as PWATs climb to 200%+ of normal Friday and are now forecasted to remain around this level through the weekend. Large spreads between 25th and 75th rain totals continues to be highlighted by ensmebles for most locations, but will need to monitor the potential for heavy rain impacts. The situation remains dynamic so check back for forecast updates as hopefully this system starts to show itself a bit better. As the trough moving into the region, a sharp cool down is expected. Today and (now with the slower arrival of the trough) Thursday should remain mild before colder temperatures arrive. High temperatures drop 10 to 15 degrees between Thursday to Saturday- going from 8-10 degrees above normal to 5-10 degrees below normal. Below normal temperatures will then likely continue through the weekend into the beginning of next week. The active weather pattern continues Sunday into early next week, but models show a wide variety of solutions as the first cut off low exits then another West Coast trough moves in behind it. Additional precipitation chances and impactful winds are possible Sunday through the beginning of next week but low confidence in what occurs and when. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Light winds under 8KT favoring typical wind directions are expected through the period with winds transitioning back to the southwest around sunset. VFR conditions are expected as with BKN clouds around 25kft and SCT-BKN clouds lowering to 15kft-20kft overnight. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Expect winds to follow typical patterns across the region through Wednesday, with the exception of KBIH where south winds to around 10-12 knots are expected after 19z. BKN-OVC clouds around 25kft will lower to around 15kft-20kft this evening and overnight. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION...Nickerson AVIATION...Gorelow For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter