Las Vegas and its surrounding regions face a dynamic weather weekend, with the National Weather Service Las Vegas NV predicting a range of conditions from scattered showers and thunderstorms today to a sweltering heatwave on the horizon. The conditions today include gusty winds that have already been noted, with a 49 mph gust at Kingman and 48 mph at Bullhead City, according to NWS Las Vegas. Weather system effects will soon give way to high pressure, resulting in climbing temperatures and a significant heat risk beginning Sunday.

While today's showers and embedded thunderstorms continue to impact areas across San Bernardino County and push towards Inyo County, an updated forecast indicates major heat for the early week. "Major heat risk returns to the region Sunday through Tuesday as temperatures flirt with record highs," the NWS advises. Residents should prepare for the temperatures that could challenge existing records, soaring to extremes that have dictated an Excessive Heat Watch for much of the southern Nevada area.

This weekend, forecasts indicate a slight possibility of a few lingering storms on Saturday. However, the potential for relief from the heat with additional storms seems low as we head into the next week. "It now appears showers or thunderstorms will not have much potential to provide relief from excessive heat for most areas during this period," according to the NWS forecast discussion. The rise in temperatures is coupled with less favorable conditions for moisture advection, leading to dry and intensely hot days ahead.

In aviation terms, effects from these weather patterns can be anticipated. Harry Reid will likely experience gusty southerly outflow winds through the morning, with quieter conditions and a shift in winds later in the evening. "Gusty southerly outflow winds will continue through 14Z this morning before winds generally settle at 10 kts or less," the NWS stated. Other regions, such as eastern California and western Arizona, are also monitoring the movement of thunderstorms and shower activity and subsequent flight impacts.