919 
FXUS65 KVEF 261724
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
924 AM PST Tue Feb 26 2019

.SYNOPSIS...An area of low pressure near the Pacific Northwest 
will continue to produce a persistent westerly flow aloft with 
moisture and disturbances brushing the Southern Sierra. The rest of 
the region will see warmer temperatures this week with most areas 
reaching above average afternoon highs. Breezy afternoons will also 
be possible, especially today and Thursday. Precipitation chances 
will be limited to the Sierra late tonight and Wednesday but could 
become more extensive by Saturday.
&&

.UPDATE...Breezy to locally windy conditions continue in the
eastern Sierra slopes and Spring Mountains, which is fairly well
reflected in the grids. Expect the Sierra breezes to continue,
with the Spring Mountains breezes decreasing through the day.
Inherited forecast in good shape, no updates planned this morning.
&&

.SHORT TERM...Today through Thursday.

An enhanced southwest to westerly flow aloft will continue through 
Thursday with gusty mountain top winds and periods of mid to high 
level clouds streaming overhead. An incoming Pacific trough will 
move over the Southern Sierra tonight and Wednesday morning bringing 
about a 6 hour period of snow to the east slopes of the Sierra 
between 12Z and 18Z Wednesday where 3-5 inches of snow will be 
possible near Aspendell. The majority of precip will be intercepted 
from the crest westward and impacts will be minimal for our zone 
except for winds. Wind sensors in far west sections of the Owens 
Valley have been decreasing as expected. Will keep the Wind Advisory 
going for the Eastern Sierra through 4 AM Wednesday morning and 
allow the Owens Valley to expire on schedule at 4 AM PST this 
morning. Winds have been gusting 40-55 mph in Kyle Canyon in the 
nearby Spring Mountains early this morning. Stronger winds are 
expected to remain above 7000 feet, but will keep an eye on 
downslope potential possibly reaching Red Rock Canyon. Elsewhere 
southwest breezes gusting 20-30 mph will stir up the boundary layer 
today through Thursday which will raise temperatures with highs 
likely reaching 70 degrees in Las Vegas Wednesday and Thursday.

.LONG TERM....Friday through Tuesday.

Mostly zonal flow through much of FRI and a weak surface cold front 
will bring some light north breezes across the area. Little response 
in temperatures behind the front due to it being a weak frontal 
boundary. Height rises will develop late FRI as a low amplitude 
ridge briefly builds off the coast. Meanwhile, a closed low in the 
north-central Pacific will help aid in a weak atmospheric river into 
the southwest on SAT. As the AR moves inland, the associated low 
will weaken providing little dynamics which will likely result in 
very little accumulations across the Mojave Desert. Though, some 
small perturbations in the mostly zonal flow will allow for some 
light showers/snow showers to develop across southern NV and 
surrounding areas through SUN. This system will be fairly warm and 
bring snow levels up to 6000-7000 feet. Some breezy west to 
southwest winds will develop SUN along the I-15 corridor as a jet 
moves overhead SUN. Dry northwest flow will move into the region MON-
TUE behind another weak cold front bringing breezy northwest winds. 
&&

.AVIATION...For McCarran...Light diurnal winds will continue 
through the morning and early afternoon generally remaining below 7 
kts. Southwesterly winds should arrive by 21-23Z this afternoon with 
speeds generally 10-12 kts and occasional gusts to 15-20 kts. 
Southwest winds will persist through the overnight period but should 
remain below 10 kts. Breezy to gusty southwest winds expected 
throughout the day Wednesday. FEW to SCT aoa 25 kft expected through 
the forecast period.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast 
California...Light and diurnal winds will continue through the 
morning hours before west to southwesterly winds push through the 
region this afternoon. Winds will resume typical diurnal trends 
overnight. SCT to BKN aoa 25 kft expected through the forecast 
period.

&&

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

$$

UPDATE...STEELE
SHORT TERM...Adair 
LONG TERM/AVIATION...Kryston

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