727
FXUS65 KVEF 210759
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1259 AM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Gusty south-southwest winds will pick up across the forecast area
  today, with High Wind Warnings in effect in the southwestern Great
  Basin and Wind Advisories elsewhere.

* Quiet weather returns later this week before the region gears up
  for the approach of another weather system over the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Today through Monday.

Current satellite imagery shows an area of low pressure spinning off
the Oregon coast. This feature will bring several notable changes to
the weather pattern as it tracks inland today. The primary impact
will be an increase in southerly to southwesterly winds. A High Wind
Warning will go into effect for Esmeralda and Nye Counties along
with Death Valley National Park at 10 AM PDT today, where there is a
70 to 90 percent probability of gusts over 58 mph, especially over
mountain ranges and high terrain. Gusts will reach 40 mph across
much of the remainder of the southern Great Basin and Mojave Desert,
and Wind Advisories will go into effect today for these areas as
well. Gusty southwesterly winds should continue in the western
Mojave Desert near Barstow on Wednesday, but they appear too
borderline to warrant a Wind Advisory and no headlines will be
issued at this time. A cold front passage associated with this
system will lower temperatures about 10 degrees between today and
tomorrow, bringing highs back below seasonal normals. Lastly, there
is a 30 to 50 percent probability of precipitation in the southern
Great Basin and Eastern Sierra today and tonight. The greatest
chances are over high terrain. Precipitation totals should be light
(less than one tenth of an inch) as most moisture is blocked by the
Sierra Nevada. However, cooler air will bring snow levels down to
between 5000 and 6000 feet, and over one foot of snow is possible
over the Sierra crest above 10,000 feet in elevation.

A zonal pattern forms aloft as the the low pressure system tracks
east into the Great Plains later this week. Temperatures increase
several degrees and highs should be within a few degrees of normal
for late April. Another system could reach the forecast area over
the weekend, but discrepancy remains between models regarding depth,
speed, and position of the low as it moves across the region.
Increased winds, cooler temperatures, and precipitation are all
within the realm of possibility.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 06Z Forecast Package...
Generally light southerly winds are expected overnight with speeds
at or below 10 knots, though a pulse or two of stronger winds is
possible through the night when brief periods of gusts to 15 knots
could occur. Otherwise...stronger south winds will develop after 17z
Tuesday with gusts to around 25 knots, but those gusts will increase
to around 35 knots after 22z. Areas of blowing dust with reduced
visibilities will be possible during the afternoon. VFR conditions
will prevail with FEW-SCT clouds between 15-25kft. Winds will shift
more southwesterly around sunset but gusts will persist through the
evening.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Generally light winds
are expected overnight though some gusty west winds will persist
near KDAG through early morning. Otherwise...stronger south winds
are expected to develop after 17z with gusts exceeding 30 knots.
Strongest winds are expected near KBIH and across Esmeralda and
central Nye counties where gusts are likely to exceed 40 knots.
Areas of blowing dust with reduced visibilities will be possible
during the afternoon. VFR conditions will prevail with FEW-SCT
clouds between 15-25kft.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Meltzer
AVIATION...Gorelow/Outler

For more forecast information...see us on our webpage:
https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter

NWS Las Vegas (VEF) Office