Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1203 PM PDT Wed Apr 15 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
* Increasing winds and decreasing temperatures through Friday.
* Ridging returns over the weekend before another weather system
brings unsettled weather to the region next week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...Today through Tuesday.
The next weather system will be approaching from the north and begin
to impact the area form north to south beginning late tonight and
then into the Great Basin on Thursday. The two main impacts will be
the wind and cooler temperatures. Southwest to westerly winds will
average 15 to 25 mph with gusts in the 30 to 40 mph range in most
locations with some stronger gusts in the higher terrain. The wind
advisory that is in effect looks in good shape. Temperatures will be
fall to well below normal levels for mid April and only in the upper
60s in the Las Vegas Valley. The cooler temperatures will be short
lived though. The strongest winds will be behind the cold front and
down the Colorado River Valley late Thursnday night and on Friday
with north gusts to 50 mph, with isolated-to-occasional gusts to 60
mph near Laughlin, Bullhead City, and Katherine Landing (50%
chance). The only other item of note with this system is for some
light precip (rain and snow) in eastern Lincoln County where snow
levels will be crashing to under 5000 feet. Any accumulation should
be less than an inch.
A ridge will develop over the weekend and provide notable warming
and much lighter winds. The ridge will be in place into Monday
before the next system moves into the California coast. There is a
lot of spread particularly with the timing of the next system and
with these closed lows they tend to linger longer. At this point,
south to southwest winds will develop ahead of the low by Monday
afternoon and particularly on Tuesday.
&&
.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 18Z Forecast Package...A period
of light east to southeast winds is expected early this afternoon
before turning south to southwest by mid-afternoon and becoming
gusty. Occasional gusts to around 20 knots are expected through
sunset, diminishing thereafter. Winds will remain breezy overnight,
with sustained speeds of 8 to 10 knots. Winds will increase out of
the southwest Thursday morning, with gusts to around 30 knots by the
afternoon. VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period, with
SCT to at times BKN skies. Bases are expected to remain above 10kft
AGL, with any CIGs above 15kft AGL.
For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...West to southwest winds
will prevail in most areas through the afternoon, with widespread
gusts of 15 to 25 knots likely. Winds will diminish after sunset
except around KDAG where west winds at 10 to 15 knots will continue
through the night. Occasional high clouds are possible at times, but
VFR conditions are expected through Thursday morning.
&&
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report
any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating
procedures.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...Czyzyk
AVIATION...Planz
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