Las Vegas residents can expect a windy weekend, with some showers and thunderstorms possible, especially in the southern Great Basin. Temperatures will cool slightly through Monday, but a warming trend is set to begin on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
In a more immediate sense, the wind advisory is in full effect today with expected gusts ranging from 35 to 55 mph across large parts of the Mojave Desert and Northwest Arizona; "a few gusts near or around 60 mph are possible near Barstow this afternoon and evening as the pressure gradient maximizes," the National Weather Service statement detailed. Not spared from the advisory, the Sierra/Owens Valley/White Mountains regions are also set to face similar conditions. On the precipitation front, the southern Great Basin might see some stormy action as showers and isolated thunderstorms are predicted to develop this evening, swinging west to east and exiting by the night's end.
As we progress into the working week, the National Weather Service Las Vegas forecasts "the probability of reaching 100 degrees in Las Vegas on Thursday is now 75 percent." They're flagging a Moderate (Level 2) HeatRisk for the desert valleys and a possible Major (Level 3) HeatRisk along the Colorado River Valley later in the week—heat levels that suggest significant discomfort or health risks especially for the sensitive, the uncooled, and the underhydrated. Current models suggest manageable winds should hold until at least Thursday, but there’s a caveat; an approaching shortwave by the week’s end could mix things up.
Aviation forecasts reflect windy ground conditions, with Harry Reid International Airport expecting gusts up to 40 knots this afternoon and winds shifting northwest tonight, as reported by the National Weather Service. VFR conditions will continue, with clouds staying above 12,000 feet. Pilots in Southern Nevada, Northwest Arizona, and Southeast California should expect windy and gusty conditions. Weather spotters are asked to report any significant events. A windy weekend may lead into early summer heat, showing how quickly weather can change in Las Vegas.
