As Las Vegas prepares for a shift from sweltering heat to a welcoming cool fall climate, the National Weather Service Las Vegas NV warns residents of increased wildfire smoke intrusion and upcoming cold low-pressure systems in their latest forecast. With the SoCal wildfires continuing to rage, smoke has begun to make its presence felt across Southern California, making its way into Southern Nevada. According to the Area Forecast Discussion released by the National Weather Service, "the plume from the SoCal wildfires extending across southern San Bernardino and Mohave counties will expand northward across southern Nevada today."
In the coming days, fair weather will grace the region, boasting clear skies and temperatures in the 90s. However, the National Weather Service cautions about a potential increase in smoke and haze, which could linger through at least Saturday morning before a slight uptick in southwest flow aloft pushes it over neighboring counties. The smoke impact is not anticipated to significantly impair visibility, but there's "a less than 10% chance of visibility dropping below 6SM," said the National Weather Service.
The forecast further predicts a notable weather transition by next week, as a cold front from the Pacific Northwest moves in, bringing with it a drop in temperatures and increased chances of precipitation. Venturing into next week, the forecast anticipates a drop in mercury to 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the norm, courtesy of another low-pressure system that's approaching the region.
The National Weather Service points to Tropical Storm Ileana as an uncertain player in the week's weather developments. As the storm pulls moisture into the Gulf of California, there's still a debate as to how much of this moisture will infiltrate the region. "The latest guidance shows moisture pushing up the Colorado River Valley ahead of the trough on Saturday and Sunday, bringing precipitable water values back up to around 100 to 140% of normal for this time of year," the National Weather Service articulated. This could result in some snow flurries above 10,000 feet in the Eastern Sierra and White Mountains, introducing an early taste of winter to the high-altitude locales.
For aviation, the Harry Reid Airport and other neighboring facilities should see typical diurnal wind patterns and non-significant visibility drops due to the smoke. The National Weather Service encourages spotters to report significant weather or impacts as these environmental shifts unfold, experiences that could range from serene skies to the tell-tale signs of change as autumn beckons with its cooler breath.
