Las Vegas and surrounding areas are bracing themselves for a period of gusty winds, with advisories in place warning residents and visitors alike of potentially treacherous conditions. The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued a Lake Wind Advisory for Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, cautioning those on or near the water to expect strong northerly winds gusting up to 35 mph this afternoon. These winds are anticipated to stir up waves reaching 1 to 3 feet, posing a risk to small watercraft.
Sharing insights into the weather system affecting the area, the NWS stated that the biggest impact from this shortwave will be increasing north winds. These conditions are not solely constrained to the lakes, however, as winds reaching 15 to 25 mph with occasional gusts approaching 30 mph are expected across the region. In Las Vegas, the wind is forecast to shift north-northwest after sunrise and increase in speed throughout the morning. Although some light showers have been noted — particularly in Lee Canyon, where light snow has been reported — no significant accumulations are anticipated.
However, it's not all rough winds and turbulent waters; the forecast heralds a return to calmer and warmer days ahead. Following this short period of blustery conditions, the NWS anticipates that temperatures will rise to above-normal readings by this weekend and early next week. Dry weather is also on the horizon, expected to persist into the middle of next week, providing some respite after the recent winds.
Air travelers flying into or out of Harry Reid International Airport should be prepared for the wind's effects as well. As mentioned by the NWS, winds will shift out of the north-northwest after sunrise, with speeds increasing to 10–15KT by mid-morning. While intermittent higher gusts might disrupt some air traffic, these are forecast to remain under 25KT through early to mid-afternoon. As winds calm down in the evening, flight operations could see improvements. The rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southeast California will experience similar weather patterns, with the NWS advising spotters to report any significant weather or impacts as per standard operating procedures.
