Travelers in the Las Vegas area during the Christmas week should expect widespread rain, possible flash flooding, gusty winds, and snow at higher elevations, with the National Weather Service issuing a Flood Watch for Wednesday when the heaviest precipitation is expected. An atmospheric river combined with a deep trough will push moisture at about 300–400% of normal precipitable water into the region, bringing rain to lower elevations and several feet of snow to the Sierra and White Mountains, while snow levels in the Spring Mountains may start high before lowering later in the week, according to the National Weather Service.
At Harry Reid International Airport, winds are forecast to remain below 8 knots, with broken to overcast clouds above 15,000 feet, though turbulence is possible over higher terrain due to strong mountain winds. Across southern Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southeast California, winds are generally expected to stay under 10 knots, with similar broken to overcast skies and typical diurnal wind patterns, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Forecast temperatures in Las Vegas, Kingman, and Desert Rock are within about 3 degrees of December record highs, so records may be approached, while Death Valley is not expected to exceed its record warm minimum from 1914. The National Weather Service is monitoring this pattern through its climate data and is requesting reports from local spotters on any significant weather impacts.
