416
FXUS65 KVEF 211134
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
434 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 12Z Forecast Package...Winds
will remain southwesterly through the forecast period, between
190-240 true, with speeds ramping up quickly by around 18Z.
Sustained speeds around 15KT with gusts to 25KT will quickly
increase to 25KT sustained with gusts to around 35KT, with gusty
winds lingering through late evening. The period of strongest
winds is expected to be from mid afternoon through late evening,
though there is uncertainty regarding the precise timing of the
strongest gusts as well as when gusts will diminish overnight.
Regardless, once gusts diminish, winds will remain elevated around
10-12KT through Wednesday morning. VFR conditions will prevail,
with BKN high clouds this morning scattering out, and FEW-SCT
clouds at or above 12kft expected this afternoon onward.


For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Gusty southerly to
southwesterly winds will develop across the region by mid to
late morning, with sustained speeds around 20-25KT and gusts to
30-35KT common. The strongest winds will be found across the
southwestern Great Basin, where gusts to 45-50KT are expected on
at least an intermittent basis this afternoon. Gusts will be slow
to diminish, lingering through late evening before diminishing
overnight, with sustained winds remaining around 10-15KT
thereafter. An exception to this will be in the northern Owens
Valley, including KBIH, where the strongest winds will be
southerly up-valley winds this afternoon with gusts to 35-40KT
before a brief southwesterly wind shift early this evening.
Additionally, winds at KDAG will trend more westerly, with gusts
to 25-35KT persisting through the period. VFR conditions will
prevail with FEW-SCT clouds at 12kft or above, though localized
visibility reductions in blowing dust may occur.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Meltzer
AVIATION...Phillipson

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NWS Las Vegas (VEF) Office