050
FXUS65 KVEF 070019
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
418 PM PST Fri Mar 6 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Winds peak today across the southern Great Basin, then peak in
  areas further south on Saturday before diminishing on Sunday.

* Ridging returns to the region Sunday onward, with above normal
  temperatures and mainly dry conditions expected.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Today through Thursday.

Early afternoon satellite imagery shows a trough digging south into
the Four Corners region and northerly flow aloft through the Great
Basin and Mojave Desert. Peak wind gusts so far today are between 30
and 40 mph out of the north for most locations. A few stations in
the southern Great Basin or over high terrain reported gusts
approaching 50 mph. The low is expected to close off tonight then
drift southwest, becoming centered over northern Baja by Saturday
morning. A potent jet aloft combined with a strong north to south
pressure gradient will bring an increase in winds to areas south of
the Great Basin, particularly during the morning and early
afternoon. Peak gusts should be between 45 and 55 mph in most of the
Mojave Desert. However, the favorable north to south flow may bring
stronger winds approaching 60 mph in localized sections of the
Colorado River Valley. Meanwhile, the southern Great Basin should
experience winds weaker compared to today`s winds. Winds decrease
areawide on Sunday as the low tracks even further south, but breezy
northerly winds will persist in the Colorado River Valley. Wind
Advisories remain in effect areawide through Saturday evening.

The low will track east along the international border early next
week. Moisture associated with the system sends PWATs to the .6 to
.8 inch range south of Interstate 40 in Arizona and California. This
brings a 10 to 20 percent chance of light rain in these areas on
Monday afternoon. Besides that, dry conditions prevail next week.
The most notable change will be an increase in temperatures as high
pressure builds over the eastern Pacific Ocean and southwestern
United States. Temperatures increase 15 to 20 degrees between
Saturday and Thursday and highs will be 10 to 15 degrees above
normal by midweek. Las Vegas has a 25 percent probability of
reaching 90 degrees on Thursday. Level 1 (Minor) HeatRisk spreads
across the Mojave Desert, a level of heat that will affect those who
are extremely sensitive to heat and do not have adequate cooling
or hydration.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 00Z Forecast Package...Gusty
northerly winds between 340 and 030 degrees true will continue
through sunset. Wind speeds will then decrease after sunset, with a
20 to 30 percent chance of speeds exceeding 12 knots through 05Z. By
the early morning hours, breezy northwesterly winds will return,
strengthening and taking a northeasterly direction later in the
morning after sunrise. There is a 25 to 35 percent chance of gusts
to 30 knots between 17Z and 23Z Saturday. VFR conditions will
prevail through the TAF period.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 00Z Forecast Package...Wind speeds will
decrease after sunset, generally remaining around 10 knots with a
few gusts around 20 knots through the night. Northerly winds gusting
between 25 and 35 knots return tomorrow morning, including gusts in
excess of 35 knots in the Colorado River Valley. VFR conditions are
expected through the TAF period.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Meltzer
AVIATION...Planz


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