Las Vegas residents should brace for a weather roller coaster ride this weekend. According to the National Weather Service Las Vegas NV, while the area is set to see generally dry conditions and warming into tomorrow, change is on the horizon with a Pacific Northwest coast low pressure system making its way southward. This trough will usher moisture into the Sierra tonight, continuing into tomorrow and bringing in much-needed high elevation snow.
The forecast also indicates an uptick in winds across the Mojave Desert by tomorrow afternoon and evening. In anticipation of potentially hazardous conditions, a Wind Advisory has been issued for the Spring Mountains-Red Rock Canyon, effective from 1 AM PST tomorrow to 4 AM PST Sunday, and for Southern Nye/western Clark County from 10 AM PST tomorrow to 4 AM PST Sunday. Residents in the aforementioned areas could face trouble with hazardous crosswinds particularly between Indian Springs and the intersection with State Route 160. The National Weather Service notes "downslope winds could impact the western Las Vegas Valley with gusts over 40 mph near the foothills."
Temperatures across desert zones are expected to rise into the mid 60s today and then to the lower 70s tomorrow, aided by southwest winds. However, this warm stretch will be short-lived, as highs dial back to the mid 60s by Sunday, with winds slowing down considerably to 10 to 15 mph. As the trough moves past, leftover moisture not caught by the Sierra may bring light precipitation over the higher terrain of Clark/Lincoln and northern Mohave counties, where snow levels are predicted at 6500-7000 feet.
Looking ahead into early next week, the forecast discussion suggests a cooling trend starting Monday with possible precipitation increasing into Tuesday. However, ensemble members from various weather models such as ECMWF and GFS suggest timing uncertainties for the expected trough. This affects forecasted temperatures and precipitation timing, with current expectations leaning towards increased precipitation probabilities Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon before receding Tuesday night. "Highest PoPs are in the Southern Great Basin, diminishing to the south with dismal PoPs in the Eastern Mojave Desert and Colorado River Valley," states the NWS discussion.
For aviation interests, the NWS advises that surface winds at Harry Reid International Airport will be light and variable in the morning before becoming easterly this afternoon at less than 10 knots. A shift to westerly direction is expected during the evening, with potential increases in southerly winds by tomorrow morning. The rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southeast California will see surface winds remaining under 10 knots today and tonight. Pilots operating in these areas should maintain vigilance, especially around mountainous regions where gusts may intensify.
The National Weather Service encourages spotters to stay alert and report any significant weather changes or impacts as they happen.
