630
FXUS65 KVEF 051008
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
208 AM PST Thu Mar 5 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Strong gusty winds spread across the region tonight through
  Saturday, with a relative lull on Friday. Widespread Wind
  Advisories in effect.

* Calmer conditions and a warming trend return Sunday onward.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Today through Wednesday.

A potent cold front is currently pushing southward through
southeastern California and southern Nevada this morning. Gusty
north winds have reached the Las Vegas Valley as of 2 AM PST. Gusty
north-northwest winds will continue through the day today areawide
as a result, with gust speeds between 35 and 45 mph and higher
speeds in the higher terrain. Additionally, temperatures will drop
by 10-12 degrees compared to Wednesday, bringing us much closer to
seasonal normals. The system associated with this cold front will
begin to push eastward on Friday, resulting in a slight decrease in
wind speeds. That said, gust speeds will continue to range between
25 and 35 mph areawide, with occasional higher values, particularly
in the higher terrain and along north-south oriented valleys. As
this weather system pushes eastward, a northwesterly flow will set
up aloft. A secondary shortwave will glide southward along this flow
before ultimately closing off over southern Nevada on Saturday. As
this occurs, a 120kt 250 mb jet will push southwestward through our
forecast area, resulting in strong northeasterly wind gusts on
Saturday. As a result, all Wind Advisories have been extended in
time through 10 PM PST / 11 PM MST Saturday night. Gusty northerly
winds will likely linger along the Colorado River Valley into
Sunday, but will reassess the need for any wind-related headlines as
we get closer. These systems will be dry, outside of very slight
potential (5-10%) for light rain in northeastern Lincoln County this
afternoon.

Ridging returns to the Desert Southwest late-weekend into the start
of next week thanks to a growing high pressure over the eastern
Pacific Ocean. This ridge will result in dry conditions, mostly
sunny skies, and temperatures climbing back to 8 to 10 degrees above
seasonal normals.
&&


.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Gusty
northwest winds are expected through this evening. The strongest
winds will be 18Z-21Z this afternoon when there is a 50% chance
for gusts over 30KT. Moderate confidence that northwest wind gusts
will drop off after sunset this evening, but continued speeds
over 10KT are likely (70%+ chance) through the night. Gusts return
after sunrise Friday morning, though gusts should be slightly
than today at 25-30KT. VFR conditions with clouds at or above
12kft this afternoon will clear tonight and Friday morning.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Gusty northwest winds
are expected across the region much of the day as the cold front
sweeps through the western Mojave Desert and the Colorado River
Valley later this morning. Widespread gusts of 30-40KT are
expected this afternoon. Winds will drop back this evening
slightly compared to today; however, elevated north to northwest
winds at 10-15KT will continue through the night. Other than a few
showers in Lincoln County this afternoon, dry conditions and
mostly clear skies will persist through the period.
&&


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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Soulat
AVIATION...Nickerson

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NWS Las Vegas (VEF) Office