524
FXUS65 KVEF 161038
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
338 AM PDT Thu Apr 16 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Gusty southwest winds pick up across the region today, becoming
  north tonight and Friday.

* Ridging returns over the weekend before another weather system
  brings unsettled weather to the region next week.

&&


.DISCUSSION...Today through Wednesday.

Gusty winds pick up across the region today as a closed area of low
pressure digs southward through the Great Basin. Pre-frontal winds
will favor the south-southwest with gust speeds generally between 30
and 40 mph, with stronger speeds in the higher terrain. The cold
front will push southward through the region as the day progresses,
with gusty north winds behind it, which will remain elevated tonight
into Friday morning with gust speeds generally between 35 and 45
mph. The strongest post-frontal winds will exist along the Colorado
River Valley late tonight / early Friday morning as topographic
enhancement will allow for north gusts to 50 mph, with isolated-to-
occasional gusts to 60 mph near Laughlin, Bullhead City, and
Katherine Landing (50-60% chance). Wind Advisories go into effect
this morning at 11 AM for the entire forecast area. Along with this
cold front will be a drop in temperatures between 10 and 14 degrees
from this afternoon to Friday afternoon. Precipitation will remain
mostly north of our forecast area, but there is a 15-25% chance of
light rain/snow in northern Lincoln County tonight.

Ridging returns to the region over the weekend, which will allow
temperatures to rebound back above seasonal normals. Another weather
system will drop down from the Gulf of Alaska and toward the western
coast early-to-mid week. There remain substantial uncertainties
regarding timing, strength, and location of this next system, but
gusty winds, chances of precipitation, and cooler temperatures
return.
&&


.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Winds
will remain elevated through tonight, with sustained speeds of 8 to
10 knots. Winds will increase out of the southwest tomorrow morning,
with gusts to around 30 knots by the afternoon. A brief period of
reduced winds is possible after sunset Thursday evening before a
shift to the northwest occurs between 04Z and 07Z, with a few gusts
to 35 knots possible with the frontal passage. Gusty northwest winds
will continue through the rest of Thursday night. 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 Thursday.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Winds generally weaken
areawide tonight aside from elevated westerly winds at KDAG.
Westerly to southwesterly wind will increase for most locations
again after sunrise with peak gusts reaching 25 to 35 knots by the
afternoon. Northerly to northwesterly winds are expected throughout
the TAF period at KBIH, gradually strengthening in the afternoon and
evening. A northerly wind shift should occur in the Las Vegas Valley
between 04 and 07Z as a front moves through, bringing a few gusts up
to 35 knots. Occasional high clouds are possible at times, but VFR
conditions are expected through Thursday.
&&


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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Soulat
AVIATION...Meltzer

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NWS Las Vegas (VEF) Office