textproduct: Las Vegas

KEY MESSAGES

* Temperatures will hover within a few degrees of seasonal normals through the week with otherwise quiet conditions.

DISCUSSION

Today through Monday.

Expect dry conditions, temperatures within a few degrees of seasonal normals, and afternoon breeziness through the work week. Shortwave ridging will persist across the Desert Southwest for another day before a weak closed low pushes into the central California Coast and across the Great Basin on Wednesday. Impacts from this system will be minimal, with only a slight uptick in wind speeds across the forecast area (10 to 20 mph gusts in the afternoon, with gusts to 25 mph in the higher terrain). Heading into the weekend, heights will increase west-to-east thanks to a high pressure system in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This will allow temperatures to increase to slightly-above normal. In addition to this ridge, a shortwave will pinch off from the upper-level flow and will attempt to close off in the southeastern Pacific. The resultant increased pressure gradient across our forecast area will increase northerly wind gusts Friday and Saturday. In general, wind speeds will remain sub-advisory, though speeds will likely approach 40 mph in the Colorado River Valley as a result of localized topographic enhancement. Expect wave heights on Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu to exceed 2 feet as a result.

AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 18Z Forecast Package

Winds will remain light and generally follow typical daily directional patterns through the forecast period. SCT-BKN clouds with bases at or above 15kft at issuance will gradually clear through this afternoon, with clear skies returning this evening onward. VFR conditions prevail.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Winds across the region will generally remain between 5-10KT and follow typical daily directional patterns the next 24 hours. The exceptions include KBIH in the northern Owens Valley where up-valley winds with gusts to around 20KT develop this afternoon, shifting to the north-northwest this evening before gusts diminish overnight, along with KDAG in the western Mojave Desert where westerly winds are expected to gust to 20-25KT this evening into tonight. SCT-BKN clouds with bases around 15-20kft will clear out by this evening, with clear skies thereafter. VFR conditions prevail.

SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT

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