Westend, California 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

480
FXUS65 KVEF 160748
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1248 AM PDT Sat May 16 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Impactful winds and cooler temperatures are expected today through
  Monday as a trough moves across the region.


&&

.DISCUSSION...through Friday.

The main forecast concern is wind. A shortwave is on track to move
across the Great Basin today, which will bring a swath of elevated
southwesterly winds across much of the Mojave Desert as well as
increased northwesterly winds in parts of the southern Great Basin
and Eastern Sierra. The strongest winds will occur in the western
Mojave Desert around Barstow and a Wind Advisory will go into effect
for that area at 11 AM PDT today. Stronger low pressure will enter
Nevada and Utah on Sunday and Monday, which will further intensify
winds across the region. Ensembles continue to indicate wind gusts
upward of 60 mph in southern Nevada, Inyo County in California, and
along the Colorado River Valley. A sharp temperature gradient at 850
mb and enhanced vorticity at 500 mb support these speeds. With this
in mind, High Wind Warnings have been issued for sections of
southern Nevada, Inyo County in California, and along the Colorado
River Valley Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. The strongest
winds in Las Vegas will occur in the late afternoon and evening with
the frontal passage. Remaining areas of Mohave County and San
Bernardino County have been issued Wind Advisories Sunday afternoon
through Monday morning as peak gusts in these areas should only be
in the 45 to 55 mph range. Winds will quickly drop off by Monday
afternoon as the system exits. Besides wind, expect temperatures to
reach their lowest point on Monday with highs around 10 degrees
below normal for this time of year. For Las Vegas, this means highs
in the upper 70s. Afterwards, expect a warming trend through the
rest of the week with highs back to above normal values by
Thursday.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 06Z Forecast
Package...Southwest winds at 10-15KT will continue through much of
the night before dropping below 8KT Saturday morning. After a lull
in the winds, southerly gusts to around 20KT will return Saturday
afternoon. Gusty winds will continue through the early evening
before winds become west around 10KT after 03Z Saturday. VFR
conditions with mostly clear skies with occasional afternoon clouds
through the period. Looking ahead, there continues to be a 40%
chance for gusts over 40KT Sunday afternoon into the overnight as
strong north winds develop across southern Nevada.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Gusty west winds are
expected at KDAG through the TAF period, gusting to around 30KT
overnight before increasing to 35-40KT on Saturday. South to
southwest winds at 10KT will continue in most locations overnight,
then become light Saturday early morning. Saturday after, south to
southwest winds will increase again with similar conditions to today
as gusts 15-25KT develop in most locations. The exception will be
KBIH where north winds gusting to 25KT are expected most of
Saturday. Looking ahead, widespread gusty northerly winds in excess
of 40KT are possible across much of southern Nevada, Inyo County,
and the Mojave Desert.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Southwesterly winds increase across the Mojave
Desert today as a shortwave passes through the Great Basin. Winds
will further increase on Sunday as a more substantial area of low
pressure arrives and gusts between 40 and 60 mph pick up across
the region. Relative humidity will fall into the teens to single
digits both Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Elevated to critical
fire weather conditions are expected for most of northwestern
Arizona given a combination of these factors and dry fuels. A Red
Flag Warning has been issued from 11 AM Saturday to 8 PM PST
Sunday.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Meltzer
AVIATION...Nickerson

For more forecast information...see us on our webpage:
https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter