849
FXUS65 KVEF 221120
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
320 AM PST Mon Dec 22 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Widespread rainfall with isolated flash flooding, snow at the high
  elevations, and gusty winds will impact Christmas travel.

* Heavy mountain snow expected in the Sierra and White Mountains
  amounting to several feet of new accumulation in the highest
  elevations by the weeks end.

&&

.DISCUSSION...through next weekend.

A dynamic weather pattern will be taking shape for the Holiday
week as a deep trough develops off the coast of California and
sends a strong atmospheric River into the Southwestern US. This
atmospheric river is currently aimed at northern California and
will retreat further north today into Tuesday morning as
troughing deepens off the California coastline. A strong surface
low will develop ahead of the trough Tuesday and lift into the
northern california coast by Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, a plume
of deep subtropical moisture will surge eastward into the deserts
by Wednesday morning and slowly shift east through the afternoon
and evening hours. Precipitable water values of 300-400% of normal
combined with strong lift ahead of the trough, and strong
southerly flow inducing orographic lift will result in some
locally heavy rainfall totals as this moisture plume moves
through. Given the anomalous amount of moisture anticipated and
robust model agreement for widespread moderate rainfall totals,
went ahead and issued a Flood Watch for much of the region focused
on Wednesday when the heaviest precipitation is expected.

Meanwhile, heavy snow remains a concern in the higher elevations,
especially the Sierra and White Mountains where snow totals may
amount to several feet by the weeks end, especially above 8000
feet. Further east, reduced confidence exists in the snow forecast
for the Spring Mountains given the rather high snow levels at
precipitation onset. Precipitation in the Spring Mountains may be
predominantly rain below 9000 feet on Wednesday, though snow
levels will gradually fall to 7500-6500 feet Thursday and Friday.
With remaining uncertainty have held off on any winter headlines
in the Spring Mountains, though it`s likely that some snow will
fall within Lee and Kyle Canyons by the weeks end.

The weather pattern will remain active through the weekend though
the weekend as the trough axis slowly moves inland. This will keep
at least some chance of shower activity in the forecast daily with
gradually cooling temperatures.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Winds
will remain under 8 knots, generally following typical daily
directional trends with winds becoming light and variable at times.
Strong winds over the Spring Mountains to the west of the terminal
area may result in turbulence over the higher terrain this
morning. BKN to OVC clouds aoa 15 kft will prevail through the TAF
period

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Winds will largely
remain under 10 knots, following typical diurnal directional
trends through the evening hours. The exception will be western
and central Nevada and the higher terrain of Inyo County where
breezier southerly to westerly winds are expected. Turbulence
will be possible around the Spring Mountains of southern Nevada
and the Sierra Nevada. BKN to OVC skies are expected across the
region as high clouds AOA 15 kft filter through the area.

&&

.CLIMATE...Numerous climate locations have a forecast high
temperature and/or forecast warm low temperature within 3 degrees of
the daily record Monday.

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            MON, DEC 22
               Record(Yr)

Las Vegas      75(2014)
Bishop         74(2014)
Needles        74(2020)*
Daggett        78(1955)
Kingman        72(1906)*
Desert Rock    70(2014)*
Death Valley   82(1914)

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       MON, DEC 22
               Record(Yr)

Las Vegas      50(2024)*
Bishop         39(2014)
Needles        60(1904)
Daggett        59(1955)
Kingman        46(2005)*
Desert Rock    44(1994)*
Death Valley   70(1914)
&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION/CLIMATE...Outler
AVIATION...Stessman

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