FXUS65 KVEF 161728
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1028 AM PDT Fri Oct 16 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Gusty north to northeast winds this morning will diminish through 
  the afternoon.

* Precipitation chances return to the region early to middle of
  next week, with significant uncertainty in forecast and impact
  details.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Through the Middle of Next Week.

Through the overnight, gusty northeast winds were reports across 
portions of the area at times. The strongest winds were in the 
terrain with gusts over 40 MPH reported as higher elevations 
intercepted a 50KT+ 850-700mb jet. This lower level jet associated 
with a low pressure system sitting over southern California will 
remain draped over southern portions of the region through rest of 
tonight before slowly shifting south and weakening this morning. 
While gusts are fairly isolated at the moment, expecting a quick 
uptick in the valleys early this morning as better mixing occurs 
with sunrise as well as an area of better vorticity advection on the 
backside of the low. A Wind Advisory remains in effect through 10AM 
this morning which looks good as additional minor wind impacts are 
possible with the uptick in winds after sunrise. Winds will diminish 
this afternoon as the low shifts south and weakens. Widespread gusts 
20-30 MPH are expected this afternoon, then gusts under 20 MPH are 
expected through at least Monday. After a brief warm up to near 
normal today, temperatures drop a few degrees back to slightly below 
normal levels for the weekend. 

Continuing to watch the potential for weather impacts around midweek 
as a deep West Coast trough impacts the region. Strong forcing will 
be associated with this deepening low, which some models have 
closing off as it moves into central or southern California. This 
forcing will interact with an uptick in moisture that advects into 
the region from distant Tropical Storm Simon ahead of the trough. 
Cluster analysis shows significant variation in how quickly the 
trough moves into the region as well as how deep it will be once it 
does so. In addition, models continue to advertise differing 
solutions on how an IVT plume sets up somewhere over southern Nevada 
or western Arizona. All that to say- there is significant 
uncertainty in the forecast details and potential impacts the middle 
of next week. It's fair to say precipitation is expected at some 
point after Monday, with snow possible above 8000-9000ft, but rain 
impacts will not be as significant as what just occurred with the 
remnants of Hurricane Rachel. There also should be an increase in 
winds ahead of the trough, likely Tuesday, which could result in 
wind impacts. Low confidence though in exact timing of rain, where 
the highest impacts will occur, and how much snow to expect in the 
higher elevations.With the incoming system and the potential for 
rain, temperatures will cool and remain below normal early next week 
when the system moves inland.

&&

 
.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 18Z Forecast Package... 
Northeast winds will continue through the afternoon, with occasional 
gusts of 25 to 30 knots persisting through sunset. Winds will fall 
below 12 knots overnight, with directions becoming more variable but 
still maintaining a northerly component. Northeast breezes return 
Saturday, although speeds will be lighter than today and are 
expected to remain below 10 knots. VFR conditions will prevail 
through Saturday, with mainly clear skies through tonight, followed 
by increasing mid- and high-level clouds tomorrow morning.  

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast 
California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Gusty winds will 
continue through the afternoon, with gusts generally 15 to 30 knots 
across much of theregion. Across the southern Great Basin and 
western Mojave Desert, wind directions will favor northeast to east 
directions, while northerly winds are expected in the Colorado River 
Valley and northern Owens Valley. Winds will diminish overnight, 
with most areas seeing speeds fall below 10 knots. VFR conditions 
will prevail, with FEW to SCT high clouds spreading from south to 
north overnight and Saturday morning. 

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Nickerson
AVIATION...Planz

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