FXUS65 KVEF 052033 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 133 PM PDT Tue May 5 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... * Widely scattered showers and perhaps a thunderstorm or two expected mainly over the higher terrain and northern Owens Valley today/tonight. * Strong upper ridging will build into the Western U.S. from late this week into early next. This will result in a rapid increase in temperatures, especially this weekend into next week. && .DISCUSSION... A compact upper low continues to shift eastward across Southern Nevada and California. This feature has brought breezy conditions, cooler temperatures, and some shower and thunderstorm activity mainly over the higher terrain and parts of central Nevada. Recent hi-res ensembles suggest we may be in for one more day of showers and isolated storms, although coverage appears to be more paltry than it has over the last couple of days. Trends would suggest a mid to late afternoon initiation with activity gradually shifting to the west/southwest. Any stronger activity may produce gusty winds, small hail and lightning. Otherwise, activity is expected to largely diminish by mid-evening with a return to drier conditions by tomorrow as the system shifts to the east. The next weather feature of note will be a large upper ridge expected to develop across much of the Western CONUS. This will result in rising temperatures each day Wednesday through Friday. A weak upper wave will flatten the ridge a bit Friday into Saturday mainly over the Pacific Northwest. However, large scale ensembles show this feature rebuilding Sunday into the first half of next week. This will bring large scale subsidence and building heat to the Desert Southwest with temperatures some 10-20 degrees above normal for mid-May. In fact, many areas may see their first triple- digit temperatures this year as we enter the workweek. Moderate to Major Heat Risk also looks to increase in coverage, especially across Death Valley and the Colorado River Valley. As confidence increases we may need Extreme Heat Watches and/or Warnings. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 18Z Forecast Package...South to southwest winds are expected through this evening. Gusts of 15 to 20KT are possible through this evening with gusts abating after sunset. Southwest wind will remain near 10KT until around 15Z Wednesday when wind will become light and variable before shifting to the northeast around midday. VFR conditions will persist through the period with FEW-SCT clouds between 10kft-15kft at times. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop well to the north of the terminal today with a small chance of showers over the Spring Mountains this afternoon. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Gusty west winds are expected around KDAG today through early tonight. Gusts to 25-30KT are expected through about 00Z, then gusts will increase to over 30KT for the evening. Winds will eventually stop gusting around 08Z at KDAG but remain at 10-15KT through Wednesday morning. Elsewhere, south to southwest winds will develop with gusts to around 20KT at times. Winds will diminish this evening with light winds following typical directional patterns tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will impact areas around KBIH through the afternoon hours today. Showers and thunderstorms this afternoon may contain lightning, sudden gusty winds, and CIGs to 5kft. A second round of lighter showers is possible overnight at KBIH. VFR conditions will persist through the period with FEW-SCT clouds between 10kft-15kft at times. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operatingprocedures. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION...Austin AVIATION...Berc For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter