As the National Weather Service in Las Vegas bid adieu to the lingering showers this Christmas morning over northwest Arizona, the city of Las Vegas and surrounding southern Nevada regions brace themselves for a gusty aftermath. According to the National Weather Service, as the system that brought the minor disruptions on Christmas Eve makes its exit stage right, trailing behind are northwest winds with expected gusts between 25-35 mph across the area, occasionally touching 40 mph, especially in isolated areas this morning.
In an oddly peaceful scene, despite the gusts rattling through the valley, another system is on the horizon, mainly for neighbors to the north. "Another shortwave trough will move onto the west coast early Thursday," as the Weather Service detailed. Expected impacts from this system are, however, more of a northern affair, with gusty winds over Esmeralda County and downslope winds threatening but sparing many regions.
The climate calms down as the week draws to a close, with the Weather Service predicting dry conditions across most areas through the year's end. Looking forward, the weekend heralds a rise in mercury with temperatures soaring 8-12 degrees above the norm for this time of year.
Next week, the weather forecast is uncertain. The European (ECMWF) and American (GFS) computer models show different predictions, making it difficult for meteorologists to be sure. Some models suggest a weather system with mild effects mainly to the north. However, temperatures are likely to cool down to normal seasonal levels, with the possibility of stronger north winds in the Colorado River Valley.
The National Weather Service encourages local spotters to stay active and keep an eye on the changing skies. They are asked to report any significant weather phenomena they encounter.
