Las Vegas and its surrounding areas are experiencing a significant weather event this week. A Pacific storm has been causing widespread moisture across the region, while gusty southwest winds impact parts of the Mojave Desert and Owens Valley. The wind features have prompted the issuance of Wind Advisories effective from this morning until this evening, particularly across the Owens Valley, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST, and for other Mojave Desert zones until 9 p.m. PST, including a Lake Wind Advisory for Lake Mead, according to the National Weather Service Las Vegas.
As reported by the National Weather Service, wind activity has picked up significantly this morning, with downslope gusts ranging 40-50 mph in parts of southern Owens Valley and across areas of northern San Bernardino and southern Inyo counties. The potency of this system is pronounced, with rainfall collected near the foothills in the Owens Valley ranging from 0.79 to 1.43 inches, as Sierra and higher mountains intercept most of the precipitation. Meanwhile in the Spring Mountains, sensors are recording between 1.5 and 2.75 inches of rain. Winds are set to become northward and the moisture tap is expected to shut off, reducing precipitation probabilities through Wednesday afternoon.
Temperature fluctuations are on the horizon as well, with a spike of about 10 degrees anticipated today due to wind mixtures, followed by a drop of 6-8 degrees on Wednesday as the cooler north winds make their presence known. With the passage of the storm and the incoming drier northwest flow, areas from Las Vegas northward can expect sunshine to return as clouds begin to clear.
The long term forecast beyond Thanksgiving Day indicates a ridge development along the Pacific Coast, ushering in a dry northwesterly flow and near average temperatures for the area. However, a Southern California cutoff low may moderate these conditions, with a chance of increased northerly winds along the Colorado River. Prospects of significant wind gusts over 40 mph between Laughlin and Needles are placed at 60 to 80 percent for Thanksgiving Day, as per the National Weather Service.
Aviation impacts include gusty south-southwest winds at the Harry Reid International Airport with gusts between 20 and 30 knots, changing to northwest with sustained speeds between 10 and 20 knots and occasional gusts between 20 and 25 knots through Wednesday morning, as described by the National Weather Service. Shower activity could affect ceiling heights, with chances of rainfall at the terminal within particular timeframes. The forecast also lays out similar conditions across other southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and southeastern California regional airports.
