Las Vegans are preparing for a notably warm start to the week, with temperatures expected to rise above seasonal norms. According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, a strong high-pressure system will settle over the region, bringing afternoon highs on Monday and Tuesday that could be 10 to 15 degrees above average for this time of year. By Wednesday, temperatures will begin to cool slightly but will still remain warm for late February.
Even though the temperatures will still be above normal, "a weak weather system moves through," reported the NWS, hinting at a dip in warmth midweek. The same report also noted, "the big story through Tuesday will be the warming trend expected," which may be a prime time for folks to hit the pools or enjoy a break outdoors. However, a weak backdoor front arriving on Tuesday could stir up surface winds and cause temperatures to peak for the week.
Looking further ahead, the report from NWS explains that while the ridge maintains its hold on the region into Wednesday, an approaching split trough from the eastern Pacific will gradually erode this high pressure system's dominance. What follows is one piece nudging through the Pacific Northwest and another forming a closed low near Southern California on Thursday. But don't count on any significant precipitation; the models predict very low probabilities for even a trace of rain from this system as it moves through northern Baja and Southern Arizona towards the weekend.
Despite the subtle intervention of this system, the forecast from NWS doesn't anticipate much of a shake-up. "Temperatures will likely get knocked down a couple of degrees, but that is really the main impact from this low," the forecast stresses. Come the weekend, yet another system is en route to the coast, potentially bringing cooler temperatures and increased chances of precipitation – albeit mainly across the Sierra and into central and northern Nevada.
As for local aviators, the skies look clear and calm. The 12Z Forecast Package indicates that lighter than usual diurnal winds of 7 knots or less are on tap for Harry Reid Airport, with "a few passing high clouds" giving way to clearer conditions as the evening rolls in. General VFR conditions will prevail throughout southern Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southeast California, with the exception of some northerly gusts at KIFP prompting 15 to 20 knot speeds today.
