Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
179 FXUS65 KVEF 011654 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 954 AM PDT Wed May 1 2024 .SYNOPSIS...Near to slightly above normal temperatures are expected through Friday with periods of breezy conditions expected. By the weekend, a quick moving weather system will bring an increase in gusty winds to the region along with a shot of cooler temperatures for Sunday and Monday. Temperatures will rebound closer to normal by next Tuesday. && .UPDATE...Above-average temperatures, mostly clear skies, and gusty north-northwest winds expected across the forecast area today. Not expecting widespread gusts to 40 mph, but can`t rule out these speeds in the higher elevations of the southwestern Great Basin... specifically across northern Inyo, Esmeralda, and southern Nye counties this afternoon. Otherwise, expect gusts between 25 and 35 mph. These gusty winds will then concentrate along the Colorado River Valley Friday afternoon. No changes made to the forecast this morning, as it looks to be in good shape. && .PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...115 AM PDT Wed May 1 2024/ .SHORT TERM...through Friday. Shortwave trough migrating through the Intermountain West will drag a weak cold front through the area today, with breezy northwest winds expected and temperatures a few degrees cooler than the highs observed Tuesday. Strongest winds today look to occur largely in conjunction with the frontal passage, peaking in the morning hours and gradually easing in the afternoon and evening, exception will be in our southern Great Basin zones where fairly steady northwest winds will hang around through much of the day. Winds will ease across most of the region on Thursday, but will hang around through mid-afternoon in the Colorado River Valley. Flow aloft will return to a more zonal direction by Friday, with temperatures climbing a few degrees above average and along with a return of fairly typical springtime afternoon westerly breezes. .LONG TERM...Saturday through Tuesday. Forecast confidence is higher regarding a low pressure system forecast to bring some type of impact to our region this weekend. Saturday afternoon, the EC ENS has a closed low centered along the Oregon coast while the GEFS has it centered near the northern California coast. This general positioning of the low results in warm, above-normal temperatures and widespread windy conditions across the area. At this point, the highest potential for wind headlines would be across the southern Great Basin. Depending on the depth and track of the low, precipitation chances increase across the Sierra and east across south central Nevada Saturday night and Sunday while our southern desert areas remain dry. Cooler air sweeps in across the region for Sunday with temperatures forecast to be about 15 degrees cooler than Saturday or close to 10 degrees below normal. The system is then east of the area Monday with temperatures rebounding nicely. Given the time of year, highs are forecast to be back to normal by Tuesday. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid... Occasional gusty southwest winds overnight will become light and variable toward sunrise. Expect to see northwest winds increase after 15z as a disturbance moves into the Great Basin. Northwest winds 10-20 knots are then expected through the remainder of the afternoon and into the evening. Skies will remain clear. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...Northwest winds will increase across the region this morning and afternoon as a weak system moves into the Great Basin. Wind speeds will generally be 10-20 knots and will persist into this evening before diminishing. Skies will remain clear. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ UPDATE...Varian SHORT TERM...Outler LONG TERM...Salmen AVIATION...Gorelow For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter