Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
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154 FXUS65 KVEF 090659 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 1155 PM PDT Tue Sep 8 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... * Above-normal temperatures expected mid-to-late week, hottest day of the week will be Thursday when the Extreme Heat Warning is in effect * Breezy south-southwesterly wind gusts expected across the region Friday through the weekend. && .DISCUSSION...Through Early Next Week Another stretch of above normal temperatures is expected this week across the Mohave Desert and lower Great Basin as a ridge of high pressure shifts eastward. A hot airmass is currently in place across the region as 850mb temperature anomalies are already above normal for this time of year, supporting highs at or above 100 in desert valleys and 110s in the CRV and around Death Valley. As the ridge strengthens and retrogrades west, it becomes centered overhead on Thursday. Increasing subsidence under the 595dm ridge in addition to the hot airmass will promote well above normal to near record high temperatures by Thursday in desert valleys; therefore an Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for the daytime hours on Thursday for Death Valley, the Las Vegas Valley, Pahrump Valley, Moapa Valley, Colorado River Valley, southern Mohave County, and southeastern San Bernardino County. Lingering monsoonal moisture will also keep nighttime lows elevated as well with lows in the 80s likely in desert valleys, preventing much relief, if any, from the hot daytime temperatures. Still expecting a slow downward trend in temperatures into the weekend as a trough pushes into the west coast, bringing slightly cooler temperatures to the region...yet still above normal for this time of year. Expect temperatures to drop a few degrees Friday along with an additional drop around 2 to 4 degrees Saturday with temperatures close to normal by early next week. As mentioned above, lingering monsoonal moisture still remains in place for portions of the region. Generally dry conditions are expected through the week, but weak moisture return northward on the west side of the ridge Wednesday and Thursday should allow for isolated thunderstorms in the Sierra and terrain of the southern Great Basin. Not expecting anything widespread, in fact most locations, especially around Las Vegas, will remain fairly dry. The aforementioned trough pushing into the western US will bring cooler temperatures but also increasing southwest winds to the region. Guidance continues to show a mid level jet streak developing overhead on Saturday at or above 40 kts. Mixing into this area of stronger winds may result in widespread gusts mixing down to the surface 30-40 MPH, with over a 50% chance of gusts over 40 MPH in the western Mojave Desert. There could also be some gusty southerly winds impacting Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu this weekend, which could impact boaters with winds and waves. If forecast trends continue over the next few days, wind headlines may be needed for Saturday. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Winds will generally follow typical daily directional patterns through the forecast period, with light and variable winds expected to shift to the northeast by mid- to late morning, then gradually veer to the southwest by mid- to late evening. Wind speeds are expected to remain under 10KT, with VFR conditions prevailing. Temperatures Wednesday will exceed 100 degrees between roughly 20Z-02Z, reaching a high of 105 degrees. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Winds will generally follow typical daily directional patterns over the next 24 hours, with speeds around 5-10KT. The primary exception will be along the Lower Colorado River Valley, particularly near KIFP, where gusty down-valley northerly winds are expected to develop mid- morning through sunset, with intermittent gusts to around 20-25KT, particularly during the afternoon. VFR conditions will prevail, with passing bands of clouds with bases at or above 12kft. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION...Moore AVIATION...Phillipson For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter