FXUS65 KVEF 161110 AFDVEF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 410 AM PDT Thu Apr 16 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... * Gusty southwest winds pick up across the region today, becoming north tonight and Friday. * Ridging returns over the weekend before another weather system brings unsettled weather to the region next week. && .DISCUSSION...Today through Wednesday. Gusty winds pick up across the region today as a closed area of low pressure digs southward through the Great Basin. Pre-frontal winds will favor the south-southwest with gust speeds generally between 30 and 40 mph, with stronger speeds in the higher terrain. The cold front will push southward through the region as the day progresses, with gusty north winds behind it, which will remain elevated tonight into Friday morning with gust speeds generally between 35 and 45 mph. The strongest post-frontal winds will exist along the Colorado River Valley late tonight / early Friday morning as topographic enhancement will allow for north gusts to 50 mph, with isolated-to- occasional gusts to 60 mph near Laughlin, Bullhead City, and Katherine Landing (50-60% chance). Wind Advisories go into effect this morning at 11 AM for the entire forecast area. Along with this cold front will be a drop in temperatures between 10 and 14 degrees from this afternoon to Friday afternoon. Precipitation will remain mostly north of our forecast area, but there is a 15-25% chance of light rain/snow in northern Lincoln County tonight. Ridging returns to the region over the weekend, which will allow temperatures to rebound back above seasonal normals. Another weather system will drop down from the Gulf of Alaska and toward the western coast early-to-mid week. There remain substantial uncertainties regarding timing, strength, and location of this next system, but gusty winds, chances of precipitation, and cooler temperatures return. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 12Z Forecast Package...8 to 12 knot southerly winds will continue through mid-morning, when winds will begin to increase and become more southwesterly. 20 to 30 knot southwesterly wind gusts will continue through the afternoon and into the evening hours a front moves through and winds shift to the northwest later tonight. 20 to 30 knot northwesterly wind gusts will continue through the overnight period. VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period, with SCT to at times BKN skies. Bases are expected to remain above 10kft AGL. Skies will clear out behind the front tonight. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Winds in the western Mojave Desert will favor a westerly direction through the TAF period, with wind speeds increasing through the morning and afternoon. Winds in the Owens Valley will favor a northerly to northwesterly direction with speeds increasing throughout the day into the evening hours. Elsewhere, southerly-to-southwesterly winds will increase across the region throughout the morning and afternoon. A front will work its way through the region from northwest to southeast, moving through southern Nevada and the Colorado River Valley later tonight. Gusty northerly-to- northwesterly winds will accompany this front with the strongest post-frontal winds occurring in the Colorado River Valley where 30 to 40 knot gusts are expected. Occasional high clouds are possible at times, but VFR conditions are expected through today. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && $$ DISCUSSION...Soulat AVIATION...Stessman For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter