FXUS65 KVEF 071704 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 1004 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. && .UPDATE....UPDATE...The current forecast remains on track with no major changes necessary at this time. The latest satellite imagery shows a shortwave pushing into the Pacific Northwest, bringing high clouds and breezy southwesterly winds to our forecast area today. Outside of these breezes and clouds, the warming trend of the past few days will continue with warmer than normal temperatures on tap for the region today. && .PREV DISCUSSION...425 AM PDT MON APR 7 2025... .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 18Z Forecast Package...Light easterly or variable winds persist through mid-afternoon with speeds likely (80%) below 10 knots. Between 21z and 00z, winds are expected to shift to the southwest with speeds ~10 knots and gusts up to 20 knots. Gusts should become infrequent or cease altogether after sunset, but sustained winds of 6-12 knots persist from the southwest overnight. Scattered to broken clouds at or above 20kft. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Light and diurnal or variable winds continue through the morning hours. This afternoon, breezy south/southwest winds develop across the region. Gusts of 15- 25 knots expected in most locations, with the strongest winds at DAG. Gusts wane this evening but breezes generally remain elevated overnight from the southwest. The exception to this BIH which is forecast to turn northerly after sunset. VFR conditions prevail with scattered to broken clouds at or above 15kft. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ UPDATE...Stessman SHORT TERM...Outler LONG TERM...Meltzer AVIATION...Woods For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter