FXUS65 KVEF 210321 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 822 PM PDT Mon Apr 20 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... * Gusty south-southwest winds will pick up across the forecast area on Tuesday, with High Wind Warnings in effect in the southwestern Great Basin and Wind Advisories elsewhere. * Quiet weather returns mid-to-late week before the region gears up for the approach of another weather system over the weekend. && .DISCUSSION...Today through Sunday. Today will be the warmest day of the forecast period with afternoon high temperatures around 10 degrees above seasonal normals. The ridge aloft will deamplify on Tuesday as a closed area of low pressure meanders inland. The primary impact of this weather system will be the strong gusty south-southwesterly winds on Tuesday. The High Wind Watch for Esmeralda and central Nye counties has been upgraded to a High Wind Warning and now includes Death Valley National Park, with 70-90 percent chances of seeing wind gusts at or in excess of 58 mph (with best chances in the higher terrain / mountains). Elsewhere across the southern Great Basin and Mojave Desert, Wind Advisories are in effect on Tuesday with peak wind gusts between 40 and 50 mph. These advisories exclude eastern San Bernardino County and the lower Colorado River Valley, as those locations can expect gusts generally between 20 and 30 mph. The associated cold front will push through the region Tuesday night into Wednesday, allowing for a 10 to 12 degree temperature drop. Finally, there is a 20-40 percent chance of light rain across the southern Great Basin as well as light snow above 6000 feet. Rainfall accumulations will range between 0.05 and 0.15 inches, with greater amounts further north and in the mountains. Snowfall accumulations in the Sierra Nevada will range 8 to 12 inches above 8500 feet. Post-frontal west-northwesterly winds will continue in the western Mojave Desert on Wednesday, but currently look to remain sub- advisory. Meanwhile, modest ridging returns to the region through the remainder of the work week, allowing afternoon high temperatures to climb back to a few degrees above-normal. Uncertainty returns to the region over the weekend as a closed area of low pressure moves inland off the southern California coast. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 06Z Forecast Package... Generally light southerly winds are expected overnight with speeds at or below 10 knots, though a pulse or two of stronger winds is possible through the night when brief periods of gusts to 15 knots could occur. Otherwise...stronger south winds will develop after 17z Tuesday with gusts to around 25 knots, but those gusts will increase to around 35 knots after 22z. Areas of blowing dust with reduced visibilities will be possible during the afternoon. VFR conditions will prevail with FEW-SCT clouds between 15-25kft. Winds will shift more southwesterly around sunset but gusts will persist through the evening. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Generally light winds are expected overnight though some gusty west winds will persist near KDAG through early morning. Otherwise...stronger south winds are expected to develop after 17z with gusts exceeding 30 knots. Strongest winds are expected near KBIH and across Esmeralda and central Nye counties where gusts are likely to exceed 40 knots. Areas of blowing dust with reduced visibilities will be possible during the afternoon. VFR conditions will prevail with FEW-SCT clouds between 15-25kft. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION...Soulat AVIATION...Gorelow/Outler For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter