According to the National Weather Service Las Vegas NV, the city is due for the coldest airmass of the season as a system sweeps in from the Great Basin. This is not just a cold snap but a harbinger of gusty north winds that will particularly lash the Colorado River Valley; residents should prepare for a blustery day ahead with winds clocking at 25-40 mph in areas, and even mightier gusts up to 55+ mph in localized spots like the Laughlin/Bullhead City area.
The wind advisories are in effect from 8 AM PST today through 6 PM PST Tuesday, and while the strongest blasts will batter the River Valley, the rest of the greater Las Vegas area will also feel the chill. Highs will be dipping 6-12 degrees below average for this time of the year which is to say, it's bundle up or shiver time, with wind chills around 42 in Las Vegas and an even nippier 35 in Kingman, Kingman itself is under a Hard Freeze Warning, so it's a good time for locals to tend to the four Ps: pipes, plants, pets, and pools, to keep the damages at bay.
By Tuesday, conditions will improve slightly, but temperatures will remain below normal. Wednesday will bring relief as temperatures return to normal. After midweek, a pattern shift is expected: a brief calm period followed by cooler, unsettled weather from a trough in Canada. This will bring a higher chance of much-needed rain for the weekend.
Those holding out for a proper winter storm might see their fortunes change. Snow levels are predicted between 2000 and 3000 ft MSL north of I-40, and the Spring Mountains could see a 40 percent probability of a 6-inch snow blanket from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, aviators in the area should gear up for a tricky few days with the system in question prompting northerly shifts and gusty periods, Harry Reid can expect winds to veer northeast, peaking with gusts up to 30KT mainly during the early afternoon. Conditions should settle into VFR with unrestricted ceilings and visibility across southern Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southeast California despite localized blowing dust kicking up as a side effect of the robust wind activity.
The National Weather Service update reminds local spotters to report any significant weather. They are encouraged to follow usual protocols for reporting impacts.
