FXUS65 KVEF 191841 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 1141 AM PDT Tue May 19 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... * A warming trend will result in above normal temperatures for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend. * Much uncertainty exists into next week as a series of Western U.S. storm systems interact with one another. && .DISCUSSION... Another day of unseasonably mild temperatures is on deck in the wake of Sunday's powerful storm system and cold front. Lingering north/northwest flow will continue to promote breezy conditions on area lakes, especially across the Colorado River Valley the remainder of today and again tomorrow. This may promote choppy conditions for boaters. Winds should gradually improve from Thursday into the weekend. Elsewhere, the main concern will be rising temperatures from the latter half of the week into the weekend. Temperatures should climb to near normal by tomorrow, then increase to around 5-10 degrees above normal from Thursday through the upcoming holiday weekend. This will result in several days of Moderate Heat Risk namely across Death Valley and the Colorado River Valley region. While this is not the highest category of Heat Risk, it still represents a threat, especially for those not acclimated to desert weather conditions, and with the abundance of outdoor recreation expected over the coming weekend. Folks are urged to follow heat safety recommendations if planning on being outdoors this weekend. As we enter next week, ensembles paint a very uncertain picture as to exactly how the upper air pattern will evolve. There is relatively high confidence in the presence of an upper trough somewhere across the Pacific Northwest and a weaker upper low off the California Coast. However, there remains considerable disagreement on the exact placement and intensity of these features, which is very relevant on how they may interact with one another and impact local weather. While confidence is moderate in the continuation of warm to hot conditions, there is also a low probability of increasing winds and potentially some precipitation, mainly over the higher terrain. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Gusty northeasterly winds are expected through mid- to late afternoon, with gusts to 20-25KT early in the forecast period decreasing to 15-18KT. As winds and gusts diminish through late afternoon, gusts will become more intermittent, with some variability in wind direction expected between 020-060 true. After sunset winds back to the northwest, with speeds around 5-10KT through Tuesday morning. Winds will veer to the northeast Tuesday mid to late morning, with speeds expected to remain under 10KT thereafter. VFR conditions prevail. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Gusty northerly to northeasterly winds will continue through this afternoon across southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, with gusts to 20-25KT expected to gradually decrease to 15-20KT through late afternoon. Terrain-enhanced winds along the Lower Colorado River Valley from KIFP to KEED will gust to around 30KT through sunset, diminishing thereafter. Elsewhere, winds will generally follow typical daily directional patterns, with speeds around 8-10KT. Tonight, winds areawide will drop to 5-10KT, with gusty northerly winds returning late in the period at KIFP and KEED, with gusts expected to top out around 25KT. VFR conditions prevail areawide, with a few bands of high clouds around 25kft. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION...Austin AVIATION...Phillipson For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter