The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued their latest forecast discussion, revealing a continuation of dry conditions and warmer temperatures for the Las Vegas area. According to the National Weather Service forecast, this trend is expected to persist through Monday, accompanied by periodic high cloud cover that may decorate the region's skies with a canvas of white, the high cloud cover a sheer veil drawn across the sunlit expanse.
However, a shift is on the horizon just in time for the holiday; a weather system is set to approach on Christmas Eve to bring the gift of a winter dusting, withthe Sierra expected to receive accumulations of snow "expected in the Aspendell area," as reported by the National Weather Service. Meanwhile, residents across the Mojave Desert and Southern Great Basin can look forward to a long-awaited break in the dry spell, even if precipitation amounts to little more than a trace to a tenth of an inch.
For those traversing the desert roads and highways this season, beware: "even very light rainfall will make for very slick roads in the area," and with snow levels dropping to around 5,000 feet by Christmas morning, travelers should keep an eye on the weather and road conditions. Breezy conditions will also accompany this weather system, particularly across the Western Mojave Desert and near Barstow where gusts could stir the dust and tumbleweeds on Tuesday afternoon and evening, as per the National Weather Service.
Looking ahead, the National Weather Service indicates a brief period of "weak ridging" will occur early Thursday, but the calm will be short-lived as the region prepares for another weather pattern shift. A shortwave from the Pacific Northwest is forecasted to stir things up, though predictions suggest limited moisture from this system meaning, "the probability for impactful winds Thursday and Friday are 30% or less area-wide," it's something that could change as evolutions in the forecast become clearer. Despite this, temperatures are expected to remain near or slightly above normal, offering a semblance of stability amidst the fluctuating elements.
Aviation reports for Harry Reid Airport and surrounding areas reflect a sea of VFR conditions, with light winds under 8 knots following diurnal patterns, and an "increasing mid- and upper level clouds with bases around 15-20kft AGL," the overall message for pilots is clear sailing. The exception to the general calm is KDAG, where winds are predicted to pick up and could see gusts of around 20KT later in the day, as per NWS report.
The National Weather Service also extends a call to its network of spotters, encouraging them to report any significant weather or impacts as the festive season, with its atmospheric ebbs and flows, progresses. As we approach the final days of December, it seems that the weather, too, intends to gift us with a flurry of change—ushering out a year of climatic capriciousness with a reminder that nature, like time, waits for no one.
