Residents and travelers in the Las Vegas region are bracing for gusty conditions and potential travel disruptions this weekend. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Las Vegas, strong winds are forecast to hit the area today and continue into tonight, with the "strongest winds will occur near the Southern Sierra and the Spring Mountains." The blustery weather is linked to a Pacific System that is moving inland and set to move over the Rockies by tomorrow.
Yesterday, the NWS replaced its Wind Advisory for the Eastern Sierra/Owens Valley with a High Wind Warning, which remains in effect until 4 AM PST tomorrow. Gusts of up to 69 mph have been recorded at Angel Peak in the Spring Mountains. The gusty conditions are not limited to mountain areas, with the central Las Vegas Valley expecting "gusts of 25 to 35 mph." In a statement obtained by National Weather Service, damaging downslope winds were reported to have overturned a couple of big rigs along Highway 395 near Olancha.
Along with the winds, higher elevation snowfall near the Sierra crest is anticipated, though rain and snow are expected to be lighter on the lower slopes and Owens Valley. Las Vegas itself is predicted to see a rise in temperature today, reaching into the lower 70s due to the winds mixing the boundary layer, before dropping by 8-10 degrees tomorrow.
Uncertainty clouds the longer-term outlook, beginning Monday into the next week as patterns shift. There's a general agreement on cooling temperatures, but questions arise midweek with the approach of a positively-tilted trough. The NWS mentioned that "21% of global ensemble members delay the onset of the positively-tilted trough moving through the region until Thursday at the earliest with some solutions offering an even later passage." A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the Eastern Sierra Slopes starting from 10 PM tomorrow to 10 AM Wednesday. The forecast is more uncertain further east of the Sierra, dependent on how much the system weakens as it traverses the range.
Aviation interests, including Harry Reid International Airport, should expect gusty winds and changes in wind pattern throughout the weekend. A rise in wind activity with gusts potentially exceeding 35 knots is forecast for the day, with winds expected to carry into the early part of next week. Pilots are advised to prepare for sudden changes and associated challenges during flight operations.
Meanwhile, NWS encourages spotters to report significant weather impacts as the region deals with the first significant gusts and potential snowfall of the season.
