763
FXUS65 KVEF 151029
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
329 AM PDT Wed Apr 15 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Another day of quiet weather before gusty southwesterly winds pick
  up across the region on Thursday, becoming northerly on Friday.

* Ridging returns over the weekend before another weather system
  brings unsettled weather to the region next week.

&&


.DISCUSSION...Today through Tuesday.

Increasing heights over the region will allow temperatures to peak
this afternoon a few degrees above seasonal normals under mostly
sunny skies. On Thursday, gusty winds pick up across the region as a
closed area of low pressure digs southward through the Great Basin.
Pre-frontal winds will favor the south-southwest with gust speeds
generally between 30 and 40 mph, with stronger speeds in the higher
terrain. The cold front will push southward through the region on
Thursday, with gusty north winds behind it, which will remain
elevated Thursday night into Friday morning with gust speeds
generally between 35 and 45 mph. The strongest post-frontal winds
will exist along the Colorado River Valley on Friday as topographic
enhancement will allow for north gusts to 50 mph, with isolated-to-
occasional gusts to 60 mph near Laughlin, Bullhead City, and
Katherine Landing (50-60% chance). As a result, Wind Advisories have
been hoisted for the region Thursday into Friday. Will continue to
assess this system as it approaches to determine if there is a need
to upgrade the Colorado River Valley Wind Advisory to a High Wind
Warning. At the moment, gusts in excess of 58 mph are expected to be
very isolated in space and time. Along with this cold front will be
a drop in temperatures between 10 and 12 degrees from Thursday to
Friday. Precipitation chances in Lincoln County have decreased
substantially, but cannot rule out light rain/snow Thursday night
(15-25%).

Ridging returns to the region over the weekend, which will allow
temperatures to rebound back toward seasonal normals. However, this
will be brief, as another weather system drops down from the Gulf of
Alaska and toward the western coast. There remain substantial
uncertainties regarding timing, strength, and location of this next
system, but gusty winds, chances of precipitation, and cooler
temperatures return.
&&


.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 12Z Forecast Package...
Light winds will persist through the morning. A period of
southeast winds may develop later this morning, but speeds will
remain under 8KT. By 21Z, winds will transition southwest and
increase, with gusts to around 20KT expected through the
afternoon. Gusts will drop around sunset, but elevated south winds
at 8-10KT will continue through the night. On Thursday, gusty
southwest winds are expected to start in the morning with gusts
20-25KT, then continue to increase to around 30KT in the
afternoon.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Light winds will
continue through the early morning before west to southwest winds
increase in the late morning and afternoon. Widespread gusts of 15-
25KT are expected, including at KBIH where a west push of winds is
likely between 23Z and 03Z. Winds will diminish after sunset except
around KDAG where west winds at 10-15KT will continue through the
night. Occasional high clouds are possible at times but VFR
conditions are expected through the period.
&&


.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report
any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating
procedures.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Soulat
AVIATION...Nickerson

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NWS Las Vegas (VEF) Office