Area Forecast Discussion Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
000
FXUS65 KVEF 072213
AFDVEF
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
213 PM PST Thu Dec 7 2023
.SYNOPSIS...A passing trough will produce gusty west winds today,
and gusty north winds Friday and Saturday as well as a drop in
temperatures. High pressure will build over the Desert Southwest,
which will increase temperatures through midweek.
&&
.SHORT TERM...Today through Saturday.
Temperatures today will range 5 to 8 degrees above seasonal normals.
This will be the warmest day of the forecast period, as an inside
slider will bring cooler temperatures and gusty winds to the region
going into the weekend. Gusty west winds today will be primarily
focused in the western Mojave Desert this afternoon before gusty
north-northwest winds set up across the region Friday and Saturday.
Gusts will primarily range from 10 to 20 mph, though the highest
wind gusts will exist late Friday through Saturday morning
/ early afternoon, particularly along the Colorado River Valley,
where tightened surface gradients will result in gusts approaching
40 mph at times. No wind-related headlines are expected, as the
highest gusts will be fairly localized in space and time.
However, it is of note that wave heights on Lake Mead and Lake
Mohave will range from 1 to 3 feet Friday and Saturday, which is
dangerous for small craft. Temperatures will bottom out on
Saturday, with high temperatures between 4 and 6 degrees below
seasonal averages.
.LONG TERM...Sunday through next Thursday.
A ridge of high pressure will build through the weekend, which will
allow temperatures to increase back to above-average through the
remainder of the forecast period.
Ensemble means continue to indicate the development of a trough
early next week, with it closing off over the Four Corners midweek.
Details regarding intensity and impacts remain unclear at this time,
but as mentioned in the previous discussion, moisture is limited,
with PWATs hardly exceeding 0.30" across the Mojave Desert.
Temperatures will drop closer to seasonal normals, with increased
wind speeds likely from the tightened surface pressure gradients.
&&
.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...Light winds are expected through the
remainder of the afternoon with occasional northeast winds up to 5
kts at times through sunset. Winds overnight will generally become
southwest around 7 kts. Light winds Friday morning, but are expected
to increase out of the northeast after 18z with speeds around 8 kts.
FEW-SCT high clouds linger through most of the TAF period.
For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...Gusty west winds occurring this afternoon across
western San Bernardino County with sustained winds 18-22 kts with
gusts to around 30 kts. These winds are expected to decrease after
23z, but remain gusty through the overnight period with speeds
around 14 kts with gusts between 20-25 kts. These winds are also
expected to last through Friday. Elsewhere, look for winds generally
less than 10 kts through Friday morning. Winds will increase in the
vicinity of EED and IFP Friday afternoon with north winds gusting to
around 15-20 kts in the afternoon.
&&
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report
any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating
procedures.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...Varian
AVIATION...Gorelow
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