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000
FXUS65 KVEF 222127
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
227 PM PDT Tue May 22 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
Drier conditions and warming temperatures are expected for
Wednesday and Thursday as low pressure pushes away from the area.
Breezy, south to southwest winds will be likely each day. The
next weather system is expected late this week leading to
unsettled weather for the holiday weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM...Today through Thursday.

A closed low pressure system continues to spin over Nevada with a
slow northward progression. For our area, that leaves the best support
for storms this afternoon and evening across areas north of I-40 as
well as across northern Mohave County. Development of storms will favor
the higher elevations with isolated activity making it to the lower
elevations. The main threats with these storms are gusty, erratic winds
and lightning. The amount of available moisture and longevity of these
storms are not favorable for any flooding concerns. Storms will dissipate
tonight, lingering longest across the higher elevations. Drier conditions
are expected on Wednesday as low pressure exits to the north with prevailing
southwest flow through Thursday. This set up could lead to a few showers
or storms over the southern Sierra each afternoon through the period.
Temps will continue to warm over the next couple of days back into
the low 90s for the Las Vegas Valley. Breezy south to southwest winds
are expected on Thursday as the next low pressure system approaches
the northern California coast. Wind speeds of 20-25 mph gusting 30-35
mph will be possible over southeast Cali and Esmeralda and Nye counties
with slightly lower winds elsewhere.

.LONG TERM...Friday through Monday.

On Friday, yet another closed Pacific system will approach the
region bringing increased clouds and breezy conditions to the area.
Strongest winds on Friday look to be across areas mainly west of I-
15, with the winds spreading eastward over the weekend. By Saturday,
the closed low will pivot into central Nevada and will linger over
the Great Basin through Monday.  This will result in a return to
cooler conditions and occasionally gusty winds, with shower chances
mainly confined to the higher terrain of the Sierra and southern
Great Basin.

While overall weather impacts will be minor, gusty winds on area
Lakes over the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend could be hazardous
for those unprepared for the conditions.  Plan ahead for potentially
gusty winds if you have outdoor recreation plans and check the
forecast for updates in the coming days.

&&

.AVIATION...For McCarran...Winds should remain around 8 to 10
knots for the next couple of hours favoring the east to southeast
direction. Storms continue to develop over the higher elevations
around the valley but are not expected to move over the terminal.
However, between 21z-00z there could be some erratic winds associated
with outflow boundaries from these storms which could bring the winds
up to 10-15 knots briefly. After 00z winds will be highly dependent
on whether or not boundaries have moved through the terminal. If
so, winds will favor that direction through around 04z when southwest
drainage winds should take over through early Wednesday. Light and
variable winds Wednesday morning will pick up out of the southeast
late morning through the afternoon at around 10 knots with gusts
to 20 knots possible along with dry conditions.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...Scattered showers and storms will continue to develop
north of I-40 and across northern Mohave County this afternoon
with gusty, erratic winds and lightning being the main concerns.
The higher elevations will be the focus for these storms so have
only included vicinity showers in Bishop through this evening.
Elsewhere, the Las Vegas valley terminals could see outflows from
these storms causing brief gusty and erratic winds this afternoon.
Most areas will see winds favoring the south to southwest this
afternoon and tomorrow afternoon with light winds overnight. Drier
conditions expected tomorrow.

&&

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

$$

SHORT TERM/AVIATION...Guillet
LONG TERM....Outler

For more forecast information...see us on our webpage:

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