Warm Week Ahead, Las Vegas Welcomes Temperatures 6-8 Degrees Above Normal

Las Vegas locals and visitors can look forward to more sunshine and warmer temperatures as quiet weather settles in for the week ahead. According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service Las Vegas NV, a ridge building over the southwestern United States is promising a gradual increase in temperature that could hover 6-8 degrees above normal as we head into the weekend.

"Ridging returns to the southwestern United States this week, which will allow temperatures to gradually increase each day, with temperatures 6-8 degrees above seasonal normals heading into next weekend," the NWS forecast discussion detailed. Despite the climb in mercury levels, the skies are expected to remain predominantly clear, speckled on occasion by high clouds due to shortwaves in the upper-level flow. These shortwaves are also projected to stir northerly wind gusts along the Colorado River Valley, which could result in minor disturbances, such as 1-2 ft waves on area lakes.

Aviation updates reflect a relatively calm condition for Harry Reid Airport and the surrounding regions of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southeast California. "Winds today will remain light, at less than 8 knots, and generally follow typical diurnal directional trends," as per the aviation section of the forecast from the National Weather Service. Pilots and passengers can anticipate minimal disruptions with regards to wind, with some cloud cover at high altitudes clearing out by the evening.

For those with plans to take out their boats or engage in water activities, they might want to note the occasional gusts in the southern Owens Valley which may see, occasional gusts to around 15 knots. The aforementioned high clouds are expected to disperse as evening approaches, with skies transitioning from "SCT to BKN clouds between 15 and 20kft AGL" to mostly clear. Those in the region who are part of the spotter community are encouraged to stay vigilant and report any significant weather events or impacts as they usually would.