Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
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581 FXUS65 KVEF 162331 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 331 PM PST Sun Nov 16 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... * Another weather system will impact the Desert Southwest on Monday and Tuesday, with widespread rain and mountain snow returning. * Winter weather expected above 6000 feet, resulting in snow covered roadways and dangerous driving conditions in the Sierra, Spring Mountains, and higher elevations of the southern Great Basin. * Active weather continues through the forecast period, with the following system expected late-week. && .DISCUSSION...through next weekend. The weather remains dynamic across the region today as a 558dm low circulates across central Nevada. A -22C cold pool aloft exists across southern Nevada and northwest Arizona as well, which when combined with the sunshine this morning, has resulted in convective showers and isolated thunderstorms focused over Lincoln, Mohave and eastern Clark counties. Meanwhile, some light rain and mountain snow continues to wrap around the back side of the low, resulting in overcast skies and showers across Inyo County and southwestern Nevada. This low will gradually shift east this evening with precipitation chances dwindling overnight. However, the flow pattern remains active with another storm on our doorstep for Monday. The next storm in line remains on track to influence mainly our western zones Monday, before spreading another shot of widespread rain and mountain into our eastern zones Tuesday. This system has trended slightly slower as it digs into southern California Monday, keeping precipitation chances mainly west of Las Vegas through the day. As it pushes east Tuesday, diffluent flow aloft and advection of 200-250% of normal precipitable water content will favor another fairly widespread rainfall event - though rain totals are expected to be less than the Saturday system. Improving conditions are expected late Tuesday into Wednesday as the storm system shifts east. The biggest difference with this storm system compared to Saturday will be the cooler air associated with it - and snow levels that are more likely to impact mountain travel and recreation above 6000 feet. Notably, probabilities of 8 inches of more of storm total snow have increased to 50% for Kyle, and 75% for Lee Canyons in the Spring Mountains. We will continue to monitor these trends for any upgrades of the winter headlines currently out. After a break midweek, another storm system may take aim at the region Thursday into Friday. There remains a large degree of uncertainty with this system, with some guidance handling the storm system as an open wave which traverses the region, while others close it off and dig it offshore, with virtually no impact for our area. The more progressive solutions are generally preferred and have greater ensemble membership, suggesting at least a chance for light showers and high elevation snow, but a large range in outcomes remains possible. As such, elevated precipitation chances remain advertised in the extended range along with continued cool temperatures. Ridging will build back in over the weekend with dry conditions resuming and gradually moderating temps. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 00Z Forecast Package...Breezy south-southwest winds with gusts to around 20 to 25 knots will persist into early evening before diminishing to less than 10 knots. VCSH has been removed for the late afternoon period, although a few isolated showers may still be seen over the higher terrain west of the field and along the eastern approaches, away from the immediate terminal area. CIGs may drop to around 6kft AGL this evening, but conditions should improve by mid to late evening as the lower clouds become more scattered and CIGs rise to above 10kft AGL. Winds will remain light into Monday afternoon before southeast winds with occasional gusts of 15 to 20 knots develop. Lower CIGs and areas of precipitation near and in the valley are possible after 06Z Tuesday. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 00Z Forecast Package...The worst conditions late this afternoon continue to be in the Owens Valley and across the southern Great Basin, where scattered showers and a few isolated thunderstorms persist. Low CIGs and reduced visibilities in rain and mountain snow will be the main concerns. VFR conditions are expected to develop area-wide overnight, but another storm system approaching the region will bring lowering CIGs and increasing precipitation chances along the Sierra and into the Owens Valley Monday afternoon, before spreading across southern Nevada Monday evening and night. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION...Outler AVIATION...Planz For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter