The National Weather Service Las Vegas has issued a forecast bringing attention to incoming weather patterns that may impact northern California and the Great Basin this weekend into next week. High pressure is anticipated to hover over the area for today before a low-pressure system and its associated atmospheric river takes center stage, as reported in a National Weather Service weather briefing. Residents in and around Las Vegas can expect a mix of conditions, ranging from high-pressure sunshine today, to potential precipitation and strong winds come the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service latest weather discussion, an atmospheric river is predicted to funnel moisture from near Hawaii—often referred to as the Pineapple Express—into parts of central and northern California from Saturday. While the Sierra is expected to absorb much of this moisture, Inyo and Esmeralda counties may experience limited chances of rainfall over the weekend. The forecast suggests a "70-80% probability" for a mix of rain and snow in southern Sierra zones beginning Saturday morning. Nonetheless, the system is sufficiently warm to keep any significant snow accumulations above 10,000 feet.
Wind conditions will also become a point of focus, with strong gusts anticipated across Sierra ridgetops beginning Saturday morning through to Sunday evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for areas affected by gusts possibly exceeding 40 mph. This advisory extends from the Owens Valley and into parts of northern San Bernardino County, which could see similar wind strengths into Saturday evening. Residents in the Mojave Desert region, while remaining dry, will see temperatures climbing into the 70s by Sunday under increasingly cloudy skies.
As Monday rolls around, the long-term outlook from the National Weather Service suggests the persistence of above-average temperatures with the possibility of cloudy skies, as moisture from the atmospheric river may head southward. There appears a divide in predictions, with some models indicating dry conditions and others anticipating modest precipitation for desert valley locations. Regardless, an increase in cloud cover seems inevitable, adding to a work week marked by unseasonably warm temperatures, potentially flirting with record highs. Las Vegas may see a high of 76 degrees on Monday, nearly tipping the scales of the previous record for February 3rd – a balmy 77 degrees set in 2018.
The National Weather Service encourages weather spotters to report any significant conditions as the atmospheric disturbances unfold over the weekend. Such reports can prove crucial for data collection and providing updates to the community on swiftly changing weather dynamics.
