748
FXUS65 KVEF 171216
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
516 AM PDT Mon Aug 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Temperatures will peak on Wednesday and Thursday, with above-
  normal afternoon highs and near-record morning lows.

* Monsoon moisture increases late-week into the weekend, returning
  chances of showers and thunderstorms to the region.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Today through Sunday.

The region is drying out this week as a ridge of high pressure
builds over the Desert Southwest. That said, some moisture still
remains over the region today, so expect partly cloudy skies this
afternoon across the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin. A few
of these clouds may (0 to 10 percent chance) build into light
showers, with a very slight (0 to 5 percent) chance of a lightning
strike. Otherwise, temperatures will peak on Wednesday and Thursday
as afternoon highs climb to 5 to 7 degrees above-normal and
overnight/morning lows approach daily records. Though these
afternoon temperatures are not incredibly impressive by August
standards, many locations will experience overnight lows in the
upper 80s to low 90s. This type of heat exhausts both people and
infrastructure that rely on sufficient overnight cooling.
Particularly vulnerable populations include those without
functioning air conditioning, those working outdoors, and those who
are unhoused. Moisture will return to the region late-week, which
will initially make the heat feel more oppressive before heights
fall and temperatures decrease over the weekend.

Late-week into the weekend, a Pacific trough will push the
aforementioned area of high pressure eastward, which will return the
funnel of monsoonal moisture from northern Mexico into the Desert
Southwest. The extent to which the high pressure pushes east will
impact timing and placement of precipitation chances, so stay tuned
to the forecast if you have weekend outdoor plans.
&&


.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Expect
light and diurnal winds today, though an occasional gust to 15 kts
from the southeast this afternoon cannot be ruled out. FEW to SCT
aoa 10 kft through the TAF period. Temperatures will increase above
100 degrees between 18 and 04Z with a high of 104 degrees.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Expect light and diurnal
winds today. The exception will be KBIH where gusty south-southeast
winds will pick up this afternoon with gusts around 25 kts. KDAG
will gust this evening around 25 kts, with elevated winds overnight.
FEW to SCT aoa 10 kft through the TAF period.
&&


.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report
any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating
procedures.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Soulat
AVIATION...Soulat

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