FXUS65 KVEF 071126 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 425 AM PDT Mon Apr 7 2025 .SYNOPSIS...Temperatures across the region will climb above normal today with the warming trend continuing through midweek. Dry conditions will prevail as well thanks to the ridge of high pressure building over the Western US. Winds will pick up across the western Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin today with lighter winds returning on Tuesday and Wednesday. && .SHORT TERM...through Tuesday. Broad ridge axis will continue to build overhead today and tomorrow, allowing for a continued warming trend and dry weather. A few high clouds will pass through our northern zones associated with a passing shortwave to our north, with a modest increase in afternoon southwesterly winds as well. However, wind gusts will remain below any headline levels and will be more of a nuisance than anything else. Strongest winds this afternoon will be across the southern Great Basin and western Mojave Desert, where a few gusts of 30-35 mph will be possible. Meanwhile, afternoon highs will climb several degrees warmer today, rising 6 to 10 degrees above normal, with further warming expected Tuesday. .LONG TERM...Wednesday through Sunday. Temperatures continue to climb through the end of the workweek as heights aloft build. Highs should be 10 to 15 degrees above normal by Thursday and 15 to 20 degrees above normal by Friday. This pattern should yield widespread Minor (Level 1) HeatRisk with pockets of Moderate (Level 2) HeatRisk along the Colorado River, Death Valley, and other areas of lower elevation in the Mojave Desert. This level of heat primarily affects those that are sensitive to heat, have not had time to acclimate to increased temperatures, or do not have access to sufficient cooling or hydration. Plan ahead for heat, especially if spending time outdoors. Forecast confidence decreases going into next weekend. An upper level trough will move from the Pacific Ocean into the western United States. The ECMWF depicts a shallower and faster moving trough compared to the GEFS, which shows a deeper and slower moving trough. Low confidence is reflected in the NBM, where the spread in potential high temperatures and maximum wind gusts increases Saturday onward. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Light and diurnal winds will continue through the morning before gusty southwesterly winds of up to 20 knots develop between 20Z and 22Z. Occasional gusts will continue into the evening but should end around midnight. Winds of less than 8 knots are then expected to persist through mid-morning on Tuesday before increasing once again. VFR conditions will prevail throughout the TAF period with FEW to SCT clouds with bases AOA 20kft AGL. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Conditions at the Las Vegas area TAF sites will be similar to what is described for Harry Reid above. Elsewhere across the region, north to northwest winds will prevail at KBIH with speeds generally remaining less than 15 knots. Across the western Mojave Desert, Typical westerly winds can be expected, with occasional gusts to 30 knots possible after 22Z. In the Colorado River Valley, south to southwest winds with occasional gusts of up to 20 knots are expected during the afternoon, followed by winds of less than 12 knots thereafter. VFR conditions will prevail throughout the TAF period with FEW to SCT clouds with bases AOA 20kft AGL expected in most areas. The clouds will be a bit thicker near the Sierra, where mainly BKN skies are forecast. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according tostandard operating procedures. && $$ SHORT TERM...Outler LONG TERM...Meltzer AVIATION...Planz For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter