FXUS65 KVEF 200939 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 239 AM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... * Heat headlines remain in effect as an unprecedented March heatwave continues into next week. && .DISCUSSION...through Thursday. The forecast remains largely unchanged thanks to a somewhat malleable ridge that models show holding over the southwestern US. Expecting temperatures to peak today, then subtly cool over the weekend as a weak system passes by. This feature brings breezy southwest winds and some high clouds, but that's about it. Ensemble guidance then has the ridge restrengthen next week, causing temperatures to rise a few degrees. Exactly how hot it gets will depend on the strength of the ridge and extent of mixing. Regardless, temperatures are going to remain well above normal for mid/late March as this historic heatwave continues. Here in Vegas, there is at least a 75% chance of reaching 90 degrees each day through Thursday. Should this materialize, it would put us at 9 days of 90+ degrees this March. For reference, we had just 1 March day of 90+ from 1937 (when records began) to 2003, and 12 March days of 90+ from 2004 to 2025. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Light winds under 8KT are expected through the period. Winds today could be light from the east winds late morning that then shift southeast after 21Z, or winds will be light and variable under 5KT. Typical south to southwest winds return tonight around sunset. Clear skies will persist through the period. Very warm temperatures are expected through the weekend as high temperatures climb over 90 degrees each afternoon. There is a 10% chance temperatures reach or exceed 100 degrees today and on Saturday. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Light winds are expected overnight. Breezy north winds will develop around KIFP gusts up to 20KT later this morning, however these elevated winds in the Colorado River Valley should remain isolated to this area and will diminish after 21Z. In addition, breezy south to southeast winds will develop in the Owens Valley with a 20% chance for gusts over 20KT in the afternoon. Any gusts that develop in the Owens Valley will diminish around sunset. Elsewhere, expect light winds under 10KT to follow typical directional patterns today and tonight. Clear skies will persist through the period. && .CLIMATE...Numerous climate locations have a forecast high temperature and/or forecast warm low temperature within 3 degrees of the daily record. The table below shows the daily record maximum temperature and the year the record was last set. An asterisk (*) denotes which records are in jeopardy (within 3 degrees of the forecast). MAX FRI, MAR 20 SAT, MAR 21 SUN, MAR 22 MON, MAR 23 Record(Yr) Record(Yr) Record (Yr) Record (Yr) Las Vegas 90(2004)* 92(2004)* 91(2004)* 89(2004)* Bishop 84(2004)* 84(2004)* 83(2004)* 82(2004)* Needles 97(2004)* 98(2004)* 97(2004)* 94(1990)* Daggett 94(1997)* 92(2004)* 92(2004)* 89(1971)* Kingman 89(2004)* 89(2004)* 87(2004)* 85(1956)* Desert Rock 86(2004)* 87(2004)* 87(2004)* 83(1990)* Death Valley 97(2004)* 101(2004)* 102(2004)* 99(2004)* The table below shows the daily record warm minimum temperature and the year the record was last set. An asterisk (*) denotes which records are in jeopardy (within 3 degrees of the forecast). WARM MIN FRI, MAR 20 SAT, MAR 21 SUN, MAR 22 MON, MAR 23 Record(Yr) Record(Yr) Record (Yr) Record (Yr) Las Vegas 68(2017)* 69(2017)* 62(2015)* 71(2004)* Bishop 46(2013)* 47(1978)* 46(1963)* 45(2012)* Needles 69(2017) 70(2017) 68(2004)* 71(2004) Daggett 60(2017)* 59(1978)* 62(2015)* 62(2004)* Kingman 54(1936)* 54(1978)* 55(2004)* 58(2004)* Desert Rock 59(2017)* 58(2017)* 54(2018)* 55(2012)* Death Valley 73(2017)* 73(2017)* 72(2022)* 72(1967)* && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION/CLIMATE...Woods AVIATION...Nickerson For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter