274
FXUS65 KVEF 220422
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
920 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Gusty south-southwest winds across the forecast area today, with
  High Wind Warnings in effect in the southwestern Great Basin and
  Wind Advisories elsewhere.

* Quiet weather returns later this week before the region gears up
  for the approach of another weather system over the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Today through Monday.
Winds have started to increase early this afternoon across Inyo,
Esmeralda, and central Nye counties ahead of a deep areas of low
pressure that is currently approaching the northern California
coast. As this low approaches this afternoon, winds will continue to
increase with widespread wind gusts over 40 mph for much of the
region. The strongest winds still look to remain over Esmeralda and
central Nye counties, along with Death Valley NP where gusts 50 to
60 mph are expected. A High Wind Warning remains in place through
10pm for the aforementioned areas with Wind Advisories in place for
the remainder of the area. Latest hires models are indicating the
potential for stronger downslope winds in the lee of the Spring
Mountains and potentially the far western edges of the Las Vegas
Valley. Went ahead and extended the Wind Advisory for those areas
until 5am Wednesday as the strong west wind gusts look to persist
into the early morning hours. Wind gusts 40 to 50 mph are expected,
with localized gusts to 60 mph possible. A cold front will move
through the region late tonight and Wednesday, with winds shifting
to the northwest behind the front. Winds will generally be 15 to 25
mph with gusts to around 30 mph behind the front. The windiest areas
on Wednesday will be the western Mojave Desert and Mohave County
where wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph are expected just ahead of the
front. These winds will gradually diminish during the afternoon
behind the front.

Lastly, precipitation chances will mainly be confined to the Sierra
where there is a 50 to 70 percent chance of precipitation over the
crest. Snow amounts above 9500 feet could exceed 12 inches with
accumulations of just a few inches possible down to 8000 feet;
however, most of the moisture will be blocked and snow amounts will
be limited to just a few inches down to 8000 feet. Outside of the
Sierra, precipitation chance will remain limited and mainly confined
to the higher elevations of Esmeralda County.

A zonal pattern forms aloft as the the low pressure system tracks
east into the Great Plains later this week. Temperatures increase
several degrees and highs should be within a few degrees of normal
for late April. Another system could reach the forecast area over
the weekend, but discrepancy remains between models regarding depth,
speed, and position of the low as it moves across the region.
Increased winds, cooler temperatures, and precipitation are all
within the realm of possibility.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Gusty
southwesterly winds will continue through the night with gusts of 20
to 25 knots expected. Breezy conditions will continue into Wednesday
afternoon with similar speeds expected. A shift to northwesterly
winds is anticipated Wednesday evening in the 03-06z timeframe,
though uncertainty remains on how strong the wind speeds will be
that accompany the wind shift.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Winds gradually subside
overnight but remain elevated. On Wednesday, west-southwest winds
increase again during the afternoon while northerly winds push
through the southern Great Basin. In terms of sky conditions, VFR
conditions persist with few to scattered mid-level and high clouds.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Gorelow
AVIATION...Woods/Outler

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