Residents in the Las Vegas area are bracing for continued excessive heat as the National Weather Service has extended an excessive heat warning amid hazy conditions resulting from wildfire smoke drifting down from northern locales. According to the latest National Weather Service forecast discussion, these dry and heated conditions are expected to persist through Friday, tempering slightly over the weekend as moisture and rain chances re-enter the forecast.
The haze, largely attributed to the wildfires raging in Oregon and Idaho, has reduced air quality across the region. Transported by the north-northeasterly flow, the smoke has been impacting visibility within the southern Great Basin and the Mojave Desert. In addition to the unsettling air quality, gustier northeast winds have pummeled certain areas, with Interstate 15 between Las Vegas and Mesquite reporting gusts between 20-30 mph.
As for the weekend, weather patterns are looking to shift, promising some reprieve with cooler temperatures. The National Weather Service indicates that as a monsoonal high repositions itself, we should expect "modest monsoonal moisture" moving northward over the weekend. "Highest chances both days remain favored across central and eastern areas, and particularly northwest Arizona," according to the National Weather Service forecast. Notably, Saturday may see high based shower and thunderstorm activity, potentially bringing gusty winds as the primary risk and an overall low flash flood risk unless storm training occurs.
Looking ahead into next week, drier conditions are anticipated to take hold again with temperatures hovering around near or slightly above-normal. The uncertainty lingers, however, with forecast models disputing the longevity of this pattern. Some suggest a strong western US trough could introduce more significant cooling and gusty winds by midweek. Consequently, the National Weather Service's current forecast represents a compromise in anticipation for the range of possibilities.
Aviation operations are adjusting to the predicted weather, with Harry Reid International Airport likely to see enhanced northeast winds and gusts around 15 knots between 16Z and 20Z. Meanwhile, airports such as KEED and KIFP in the Colorado River Valley expect winds of 15-20 knots and gusts up to 30 knots. Despite these wind conditions, no significant clouds or adverse weather are forecasted across the broader region.
Lastly, in light of the current weather situation, the National Weather Service has called upon local spotters to report any significant weather impacts as they unfold, utilizing standard operating procedures to aid in their weather monitoring efforts.
