Las Vegas residents and travelers alike should prepare for a shift in the weather as Christmas Eve approaches. According to the National Weather Service Las Vegas NV, fair weather will grace the region on Monday, but conditions are expected to change rapidly come Tuesday. "A weather system will move in Christmas Eve and spread snow into the Sierra and Spring Mountains and shower activity into the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin Tuesday evening," explained the NWS. For those in affected areas, including western Nevada and the Western Mojave Deserts in California, gusty winds are anticipated, prompting advisories for potential travel disruptions.
The NWS went on to detail that residents in the Spring Mountains might see a White Christmas, with snowfall predicted to accumulate during a 6-9 hour window from Christmas Eve into early Christmas morning. "In the Spring Mountains, those hoping for a White Christmas may be in luck," the forecast discussion stated. A Winter Weather Advisory was also issued due to expected conditions that could mix snow with graupel, leading to particularly slick roadways. While we await for the weather to turn, locals should enjoy the calm before the storm, as a progressive ridge axis will build across the region today making for one more day of pleasant conditions, as per NWS.
As for the travelers hitting the highways, especially along routes such as I-15, US-395, and US-95, it would seem prudent to carefully monitor for updates. The incoming storm is also likely to cause hiccups in the air travel sector. "An approaching storm system will result in an increase in southwesterly winds late Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening," warns the NWS, hinting at the potential for operational impacts at Harry Reid Airport and others in the region. Meanwhile, VFR conditions are expected to persist, with mid and high clouds dotting the skies across southern Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southeast California.
For those looking beyond Christmas Day, the forecast offers a glimpse of continuity with fluctuations in the weather pattern. "Another shortwave is progged to zip through the region Thursday into Friday," notes the NWS, though the precipitation impacts are expected to be minimal with moisture remaining elusive. Even if the forecast evolves, only light precipitation is anticipated. As the weekend approaches, temperatures may creep back above normal with the establishment of a ridge offering relief from the colder conditions seen earlier in the week.
In the meantime, the NWS encourages spotters to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. For the latest updates and detailed forecasts, interested parties may visit the NWS website.
