Residents and visitors in Las Vegas can expect a dry and increasingly warm week ahead, according to the latest forecast update from the National Weather Service. The winds that have been breezing through the region are set to die down by late afternoon as a ridge of high pressure builds in, promising more sunshine and rising temperatures. the National Weather Service's forecast discussion indicates that Las Vegas should brace itself for temperatures that could soar above the 80-degree mark on Monday.
Today's weather sees a shift from the outgoing trough to the east to a budding ridge to the west, setting up breezy conditions across the valley. Though general forecasts predict winds at 25 to 35 MPH, "the strongest winds should be in the morning when the pressure gradient is strongest," as NWS points out. Warnings are in place for early morning boaters, especially on Lake Mead and Lake Havasu, where gusty winds and choppy waves can arise. But those surviving the outdoors this morning should have felt relief, with winds diminishing into the afternoon.
The warming trend is set to continue through the week with the ridge reinforcing sunnier and even warmer conditions. By tomorrow, temperatures are expected to hover above normal, and Las Vegas may record temperatures beyond 80 degrees on Monday. The National Weather Service's advisory highlights, "It is likely (90%+ chance) that Las Vegas will see high temperatures over 80 degrees, and Death Valley will be over 90 degrees."
Come Tuesday and beyond, Vegas could flirt with the 90-degree line, and by the end of the week, reaching upwards of 95 degrees isn't out of the question. "Records in Las Vegas are 91/2014 on the 10th and 93/2013 on the 11th, so record heat is possible," NWS forecasters claim. Meanwhile, a moderate HeatRisk has been issued for some desert valleys by mid-week, with those looking towards the weekend potentially seeing a slight reprieve from the heat as a trough might push through, cooling off the western US just a tad.
Aviation reports for Harry Reid International Airport caution that northeast breezes will persist through the morning, but will eventually weaken by the evening. Pilots maneuvering through southern Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southeast California will encounter northeasterly winds with the strongest effects felt in the lower Colorado River Valley. However, these gusty conditions are expected to settle down as the weekend comes to a close, consistent with the overall forecast of milder winds and warming temperatures covering the region.
As for the local response to the uptick in temperatures, residents are encouraged to take the customary precautions in dealing with such heat, including hydration and limiting exposure during peak warmth hours. As always, community members and outdoor enthusiasts are urged to report any significant weather impacts under the designated protocols detailed by the National Weather Service's Spotter Information Statement.
