Las Vegas wakes up under clear skies and mild air on Wednesday, April 15, with temperatures near 54°F and a light west-northwest breeze around 17 mph. Sunshine this afternoon should nudge highs into the low 80s, but the calm will not last long, as a burst of gusty winds lines up for late week.
Where And When The Wind Advisory Hits
According to the National Weather Service Las Vegas, a Wind Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. Thursday, April 16, through 5 a.m. Friday, April 17, covering the Las Vegas Valley and the lower Colorado River corridor.
Forecasters expect south-southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph on Thursday, then a switch to north-northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 45 mph late Thursday into Friday. The strongest bursts are most likely along the lower Colorado River Valley near Laughlin and nearby river communities, where isolated gusts could reach 50 to 60 mph.
Impacts And How To Stay Safe
Those gusty winds can toss around unsecured patio furniture and loose yard debris, and they will create hazardous crosswinds on exposed stretches of I-15 and U.S. 95; drivers of trailers and other high-profile vehicles should take extra care. Boaters are urged to skip small-craft outings on Lake Mead while winds are up and to expect choppy, uncomfortable conditions on the water. It is a good time to tie down or bring in anything that can blow away and to consider shifting outdoor plans indoors for Thursday afternoon and evening.
Timing, Temperatures And The Weekend Setup
Winds will ramp up Thursday morning, peak during the afternoon, and stay elevated into Friday morning. As the blustery air moves in, temperatures will drop about 10 to 12 degrees from Thursday to Friday. By the weekend, conditions should gradually settle as high pressure rebuilds, with afternoon highs rebounding into the upper 70s to mid 80s by Saturday.
For a deeper look at the pattern, check out the sunny Vegas turns wind tunnel forecast, and keep an eye on the National Weather Service for any late updates before you hit the road.
