Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
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357 FXUS65 KVEF 180510 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 1010 PM 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 this week into the weekend, accompanied by increased shower and thunderstorm chances. && .DISCUSSION...Through next weekend. Broad ridging continues building westward across the Desert Southwest today, with increasing thicknesses and subsidence lending to our current warming and drying trend. Most locations will stay dry this afternoon, though there is around a 10 percent chance for isolated showers to develop across the southern Great Basin and northwestern Arizona, with gusty winds and an occasional lightning strike the primary concerns. The building heat will be the focus through late in the work week, with temperatures continuing to climb to around 5 to 7 degrees above normal Wednesday and Thursday. Lingering low-level moisture will serve to temper afternoon highs somewhat, however, this same moisture will allow for very mild/warm overnight lows in the upper 80s and lower 90s, expected to be near record warm lows for mid- August. The prolonged, cumulative effect of the hot temperatures, humidity, and little overnight relief will yield widespread Moderate and Major HeatRisk, thus the Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect for portions of southern Nevada, southeastern California, and northwestern Arizona Tuesday morning through Friday evening. An uptick in monsoonal moisture late week into the weekend will provide relief, with a cooling trend expected in both daytime highs and overnight lows. The aforementioned uptick in moisture will be driven by a trough progged to take shape off of the Pacific Coast late this week, resulting in an eastward shift of the ridge of high pressure closer to the Four Corners. Ensembles are in agreement that this shift in the upper pattern will also allow for a return of thunderstorm chances, possibly as early as Thursday afternoon for portions of Mohave County, gradually expanding northward and westward through the weekend. While precise timing and location remains uncertain at this time, those who have outdoor plans late week into the weekend should stay on top of the latest forecast and plan accordingly. Stay tuned. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Southwesterly winds of less than 10 knots become variable by tomorrow morning. Southerly to southwesterly winds return tomorrow afternoon, with occasional gusts between 15 and 20 knots, decreasing after sunset. Temperatures climb above 100 degrees between 18Z and 04Z. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Elevated westerly winds persist at KDAG through the night, decreasing tomorrow before returning tomorrow evening. Winds increase out of the south to southwest in the Las Vegas Valley, Colorado River Valley, and Owens Valley during the afternoon. FEW to SCT clouds between 10 and 20 kft AGL continue through the TAF period. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION...Phillipson AVIATION...Meltzer For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter