Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
Issued by NWS Las Vegas, NV
723 FXUS65 KVEF 222135 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 135 PM PST Wed Jan 22 2025 .SYNOPSIS...Gusty northerly winds continue along the Colorado River today and tomorrow. Otherwise, cool and quiet weather is expected through Friday. Widespread precipitation chances, cooler temperatures, and breezy winds are expected this weekend and early next week. && .SHORT TERM...Tonight through Friday The setup consisting of high pressure off the Pacific coast and low pressure over the central United States remains in place, favoring gusty northerly winds along the Colorado River again tomorrow. Much like today`s winds, the isolated and borderline nature of tomorrow`s winds does not warrant a Wind Advisory. Winds remain elevated along the River tonight with gusts of 25 to 35 mph, increasing to 30 to 40 mph in the morning. The NBM gives a 40 to 70 percent probability of isolated gusts over 40 mph, primarily along the Colorado River between Laughlin and Needles tomorrow morning. Pockets of stronger winds may also form in the deserts of far eastern San Bernardino County, some of which may occasionally reach Interstate 40 for short periods of time. Winds gradually weaken in the afternoon and evening as low pressure moves into the Pacific Northwest, squashing the ridge and creating zonal flow over the Southwest. This should lead to quiet weather on Friday, featuring light winds and near seasonal temperatures before a major change in the weather arrives over the weekend. .LONG TERM...Saturday through Tuesday. The longer range continues to favor a significant pattern change as a strong shortwave drops south out of the PacNW on Friday and dives into southern California over the weekend. This system will bring the first widespread precipitation chances of the new year, and thanks to its northerly origins will feature plenty of cold air as well. This leads to some concerns about winter travel impacts over the weekend, as snow levels dip as low as the 3000-4000 foot level with at least light accumulations of snow possible in most major travel passes in the region. NBM probabilities currently advertises about a 75 percent chance of 6" snow accumulations in Lee and Kyle Canyon, with lesser chances advertised in the Sierra due to a less favorable wind flow orientation. The details will continue to evolve, but the main take away will be to expect increased shower activity and possibly some winter weather heading into the weekend, and plan accordingly if you have outdoor or travel plans. The low will very slowly migrate eastward into Arizona early next week, with precipitation chances slowly diminishing from west to east. Temperatures will remain on the cooler side of normal. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...Northeast winds are likely this morning, favoring a 040-060 direction. There is a low probability, around 20% chance, for wind speeds over 8KT through 03Z, so most likely wind speeds will remain light. Moderate confidence in the wind forecast for tonight as northeast winds may become northwest at 8KT or less for a period briefly after sunset before turning back to the northeast again around midnight. If the northwest winds do not develop, continued northeast winds similar to the afternoon will persist. Between 09Z-12Z, if winds become northwest they will transitions back to a 040-050 direction with at least a 50% probability for wind speeds over 8KT. By Thursday morning after sunrise, northeast winds will increase further with speeds over 10KT and gusts over 20KT likely (80% chance or more). Other than the winds, no operationally significant weather or clouds are expected through Thursday. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...Breezy north winds are expected through the afternoon with gusts of 25 to 35 KT likely, with highest gusts expected at KIFP. Winds will diminish after sunset with gusts to KEED dropping to around 20KT for the overnight period and gusts at KIFP dropping to around 25KT. Elsewhere through tonight, winds will remain light and follow typical wind patterns. Elevated north to northeast winds will set up Thursday morning into the afternoon in southern Nevada into western Arizona with speeds of 10-15KT and gusts to around 20KT expected, especially in the morning. North winds will be enhanced in the Colorado River Valley so slightly stronger wind gusts of 25 to 30 KT will develop Thursday morning. Elsewhere, winds will remain light and diurnal on Thursday. VFR clouds southern southern California into Arizona will shift south the rest of the day, with clear skies expected across the region tonight and Thursday. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ SHORT TERM...Meltzer LONG TERM...Outler AVIATION...Nickerson For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter