Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
013 FXUS65 KVEF 062142 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 242 PM PDT Mon May 6 2024 .SYNOPSIS...Gusty north-northwest winds expected today through Wednesday across the forecast area. Temperatures will warm through Tuesday before dropping once again on Wednesday and then gradually warming through the rest of the work week into the weekend. && .DISCUSSION...Today through next Monday. The system that brought gusty winds to the region last weekend will continue to push eastward. As it pushes east, it will dig a longwave trough across the entire United States. This set up will place us beneath a dry northwest flow aloft. However, this pattern allows shortwaves to ride through the Desert Southwest, often bringing strong gusty winds along with it. This will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday. A shortwave will ride along the northwest flow, resulting in gusty north-northwest winds across the southern Great Basin Tuesday afternoon, then spreading southward and focusing along the Colorado River Valley on Wednesday. Winds along the Colorado River Valley will also be aided by topographic enhancement, which could result in very localized gusts above 40 mph - particularly near Bullhead City / Laughlin, which would impact Lake Mohave. As such, expect dangerous boating conditions, especially for small craft on Wednesday. This shortwave will usher cooler air into the region, resulting in a temperature drop to below-average once again on Wednesday. Ensemble means indicate that the aforementioned area of low pressure over the central United States will retrograde, with a weak blocking pattern anticipated over the Desert Southwest as a growing ridge of high pressure builds in the eastern Pacific. As such, expect breezy afternoons through the remainder of the work week. Regardless, heights will rise over the area, resulting in an increase in temperatures going into the weekend. Desert valleys can expect high temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s by the end of the weekend. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...Light and variable winds this afternoon before a push of SW winds around 23z - 01z. Once they arrive, expect SW winds of 8-12 knots to continue through the evening and most of the overnight hours. Early tomorrow morning, winds weaken and become variable in direction for a few hours before breezy north winds arrive after daybreak. 70+ percent chance of gusts over 10 knots between 15z and 18z. Winds weaken early tomorrow afternoon, but breezy NNW winds return in the late afternoon. FEW-SCT high clouds through the TAF period. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...Light and variable winds in the Las Vegas Valley this afternoon, with SW winds of 8-12 knots arriving in the late afternoon and early evening. KHND remains SSW through the night while KVGT eventually returns to typical NW late tonight. Breezy NNW winds develop tomorrow morning after daybreak. At KBIH, light south winds expected through 22z, with gusty NW winds of 15-25 knots arrive afterwards. NW winds weaken tonight but increase again tomorrow morning. Light and variable winds at KDAG this afternoon, gradually turning west and increasing in magnitude. At their peak tonight, gusts around 30 knots are expected. In the Colorado River Valley, the north winds this morning are transitioning to a light and variable state. Southerly breezes arrive this evening and persist through the night. VFR conditions prevail as FEW-SCT high clouds linger across the area. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION...Varian AVIATION...Woods For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter