Las Vegas is expected to experience calmer weather following the rain and snow earlier this week, with the National Weather Service in Las Vegas forecasting dry conditions and lighter winds. According to the latest Area Forecast Discussion, residual breezy north winds are expected today, particularly along the Colorado River Valley. However, the region is expected to have a mild weekend, with weak ridging contributing to drier weather and a gradual warming trend through the first half of next week.
The recent atmospheric disturbances are shifting eastward, bringing an end to precipitations risks and leaving Southern Nevada and Western Arizona under the influence of a dry northwesterly flow, resulting in no precipitation risk across the area, as per the NWS forecast. Although Lake Mohave boaters might encounter increased wave action due to breezy winds this morning and early afternoon, the winds are generally expected to subside by the evening, and with the strongest pressure gradient easing off by the afternoon, this should lessen the likelihood of more impactful gusts across most of the region.
Temperatures today are poised to remain slightly below normal, yet warmer than yesterday's, eventually inching closer to seasonal averages on Sunday courtesy of rising heights and a warmer airmass poised to slide into our vicinity, the NWS indicates. The early week may bring another short-lived disturbance that might result in gusty winds for the Mojave Desert and along the Colorado River, yet rainfall seems to remain off the table, with the weather narrative continuing to be characterized by dry spells.
Looking ahead, Monday may bring a shortwave trough that will impact the Pacific Northwest before moving through the local forecast area. This could lead to gusty north winds along the Colorado River Valley on Tuesday, particularly between Laughlin, Bullhead City, and Needles, CA, with the NWS’s latest data showing a 75% chance of gusts exceeding 40 mph in the area. Despite these winds, the region is expected to be influenced by a passing ridge by midweek. However, additional inside sliders may move into the region as the week progresses, though these conditions are unlikely to bring rain, leaving the area with persistently dry conditions.
Air travel should face minimal disruptions with Harry Reid International Airport expecting northwest winds at around 10-12 knots until 20z Saturday, then seeing a shift towards north-east with a decrease in wind speeds, as for the rest of southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and southeastern California, steady north-northeast winds are projected with occasional stronger winds near KIFP and KEED, according to the NWS guidance. Lastly, spotters remain on standby to report any significant weather occurrences following established procedures.
