Las Vegas residents can expect a series of showers and thunderstorms as we head into the middle of the week, according to an early morning report by the National Weather Service Las Vegas. The forecast, which stretches through Wednesday, is shaped by lingering moisture in the area and instability from clear skies and surface heating. "Showers are currently over parts of Mohave and Clark counties early this morning, producing light rainfall and an occasional lightning strike," the National Weather Service report stated.
With the desert landscape feeling the added stir, the weather pattern remains dynamic. The National Weather Service points out very little moisture was removed by the eastern system, leaving precipitable water values (PWATs) at 200 to 300 percent of normal. This element is expected to prime the region for "another round of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening," but most of the activity is anticipated to be concentrated over high terrain. As a result of dry lower levels, it is indicated that "most of the precipitation will evaporate before it hits the ground with only light amounts at the surface."
As we venture further into the week, the Pacific low pressure system will draw closer to the international border, intensifying weather conditions. Though moisture levels will remain high, the thunderstorms predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday are still projected to produce mere light precipitation at the surface. The National Weather Service foresees that the storms will be capable of gusty outflows, with forecast soundings suggesting "high based" activity.
The outlook towards the weekend suggests a shift, as a high-pressure ridge begins to influence Las Vegas's weather landscape. Expected is a rise in temperatures, climbing back to levels 4 to 8 degrees above the norm. "This will result in desert valleys experiencing high temperatures in the 100s once again," the National Weather Service account forewarns, hinting at a forthcoming surge in heat as we head into the following week. Not to be caught off guard, spotters are advised to report any significant impacts, adhering to standard operating procedures.
At Harry Reid International Airport, there’s a chance of light rain early in the morning with cloud ceilings between 8,000 and 12,000 feet. While thunderstorms are less likely at the airport, parts of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southeast California could still see gusty, unpredictable winds and low clouds in the afternoon, which may make it harder to see the terrain in some areas, as per the National Weather Service.
