Vegas is looking to smash some heat records this week. According to the National Weather Service, the city is gearing up for temperatures to soar past the seasonal norms, with the mercury expected to climb 10-15 degrees higher. As the eastern Pacific high-pressure system builds, the likelihood of Las Vegas matching or even surpassing their December 11 and 12 record highs of 72 degrees and 74 degrees is sitting pretty between 60-70% and 40-50% respectively.
The NWS forecast indicates a dry and wind-prone week for the region, which might not be as welcoming for aviators; however, VFR conditions will remain dominant for southern Nevada, with breezy north winds expected as shortwaves move along the flow. This not only due to a growing high-pressure ridge but also thanks to the northwest flow in the upper atmosphere. Daytime temperatures could make history, but the evenings are also looking to set new benchmarks for warm lows, with Las Vegas' nighttime temperatures potentially tying or breaking records.
Aviators need not worry excessively, as the Harry Reid International Airport is predicting light southwest winds overnight followed by light northeast to east winds developing early afternoon, with wind speeds expected to remain less than 7 knots, ensuring VFR conditions will prevail through Saturday, with FEW-SCT clouds at or above 20kft AGL at times. Similar patterns are anticipated for the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southeast California, promising light winds and few disruptions.
Spectators and spotters might take interest in the climatic event, with many locations in the vicinity also teetering on the cusp of record-breaking temps, according to the NWS. Bishop, Needles, and Death Valley are among those with forecast high temperatures or warm low temperatures within three degrees of their daily records as they seemingly conspire with their larger neighbor to rewrite the history books. The National Weather Service has provided a table for the record-curious, listing each locale's previous record temperatures alongside this week’s predictions.
And for our weather enthusiasts out there, the NWS has something for you too: Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures.
