031
FXUS65 KVEF 200527
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1027 PM PDT Thu Jun 19 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect today with afternoon highs
  6 to 10 degrees above seasonal normals.

* Elevated wildfire concerns expected through Saturday due to gusty
  winds and single-digit afternoon relative humidities.

* Temperatures drop this weekend as south-southwest wind gusts
  increase across the region. Temperatures slowly rebound next
  week with light afternoon breezes.

&&

.UPDATE...Huge smoke plume from fire(s) in Baja California was
evident on visible satellite imagery racing northeast through
eastern San Bernardino County into southern Clark County. Updated
weather grids with new HRRR Smoke output, which gave haze for areas
well southeast of I-15 through Saturday.
&&

.DISCUSSION...Today through Thursday.

Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect for lower elevations of
southeastern California, southern Nevada, and northwestern Arizona
as a result of a strong ridge of high pressure centered over
northern Mexico. Widespread "Moderate" HeatRisk this afternoon, with
"Major" HeatRisk in the desert valleys.

A strong area of low pressure off the coast of the Pacific Northwest
will drop southward into the Great Basin over the next couple of
days. The associated trough will drop through the western CONUS,
working to tighten pressure gradients over the Desert Southwest as
the aforementioned ridge shifts eastward. Gusty south-southwest
winds will pick up each afternoon heading into the weekend and will
peak on Saturday (15-25 mph with gusts 25-35 mph) as the trough axis
pushes through our forecast area. These wind speeds, combined with
above-normal temperatures and single-digit afternoon relative
humidities, will increase wildfire danger across southern Nevada and
northwestern Arizona. As such, Red Flag Warnings have been issued
through Saturday, with more details in the FIRE WEATHER discussion
below.

In addition to fire concerns, a Wind Advisory has been issued
for western San Bernardino County for Friday and Saturday, a Wind
Advisory has been issued for Mohave County for Saturday, and a Lake
Wind Advisory has been issued for the Lake Mead National Recreation
Area including Lake Mohave for Saturday due to wind gusts between 35
and 45 mph and wave heights in excess of 2 feet. Heights will drop
across the region as the trough axis pushes through the Desert
Southwest and shoves the northern Mexico high pressure eastward.
Temperatures will drop to below-normal over the weekend as a result.
Through the week, heights will slowly rise despite weak troughing in
place, which will allow temperatures to gradually increase heading
into next weekend.
&&

.FIRE WEATHER...A Red Flag Warning is in effect through this evening
for Fire Weather Zone NV-460. A Red Flag Warning is in effect
through Friday evening for south-central Nevada (Zones 461, 462,
463, and 464). A Red Flag Warning is in effect through Saturday
evening for southern Nevada (Zones 465, 466) and northwestern
Arizona (Zones 101, 102). Expect south-southwesterly winds between
20 and 25 mph with gusts between 30 and 40 mph each afternoon.
Increased risk of wildfire starts and spreads as a result of these
wind speeds coupled with single-digit afternoon relative humidities
and overnight recoveries between 15 and 25 percent. Temperatures
will drop below-normal Saturday and Sunday and wind speeds will drop
Sunday onward, which will mitigate wildfire risk. Outdoor burning as
well as recreation involving sparks or flames is not recommended.
&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 06Z Forecast Package...South
winds will continue through the night, sometimes gusting 20 to 25
knots and sometimes lulling to 10 knots. Winds will increase again
around midday Friday, with gusts of 25 to 30 knots. No clouds or
weather through the TAF period, although smoke aloft from a distant
fire could occasionally invade the sky. Temperature rising to 100F
around 19-20Z Friday.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Gusty south to southwest
winds will continue through Friday, with the strongest gusts of 30
to 40 knots near and north of Barstow as well as over mountain
ranges. Smoke aloft from a distant fire will cover portions of the
sky southeast of Interstate 15. Otherwise, no operationally
significant clouds or weather through the TAF period.
&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report
any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating
procedures.
&&

$$

UPDATE...Morgan
DISCUSSION...Soulat
AVIATION...Morgan

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