510
FXUS65 KVEF 170740
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1240 AM PDT Wed Jun 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Above-normal afternoon high temperatures will continue through the
  rest of the week before cooling to near normal over the weekend.

* Southwest winds increase and elevated fire danger returns on
  Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...through early next week.

Hot conditions persist through the rest of the workweek. Today`s
highs will be 5 to 10 degrees above normal for this time of year,
which means highs in the upper 100s in Las Vegas and the low 100s in
the Colorado River Valley. The upper level ridge responsible for
these temperatures will start to move east tomorrow as a shortwave
approaches the Pacific coast. Heights aloft will decrease and
surface temperatures cool several degrees each day in response.
However, high temperatures will remain above normal through Friday.
Near normal temperatures should return by the weekend. Heat Risk
decreases from widespread Moderate (Level 2 of 4) with areas of
Major (Level 3 of 4) today to widespread Minor (Level 1 of 4) by
Friday.

Along with cooler temperatures, the incoming shortwave will also
bring gusty southwesterly winds on Friday. The strongest winds
appear to be in the western Mojave Desert near Barstow, where there
is a 60 to 80 percent probability of wind gusts reaching 40 mph.
Gusty winds combined with low relative humidity and dry vegetation
will also result in a period of elevated fire weather concerns on
Friday afternoon and evening. High pressure rebuilds across the
region early next week and temperatures will climb back above normal
once again.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 06Z Forecast
Package...Southwesterly winds will continue through the forecast
period, with intermittent gusts to 15-20KT expected through
midnight, diminishing thereafter. Gusts up to around 20KT return
by late morning, persisting through sunset. VFR conditions will
continue, with no operationally significant cloud cover expected
as clouds remain at or above 12kft. Temperatures will exceed 100F
between 17Z-05Z, reaching a high of 108F around 18/00Z.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Southwesterly winds
will continue across most of the region the next 24 hours.
Sustained speeds around 10-15KT will be common, with gusts to
around 20-25KT expected to return by mid to late morning on
Wednesday and continue through sunset. An exception to this will
be across the western Mojave Desert, where winds generally remain
westerly, with gusts to 20-25KT through mid- afternoon, increasing
to 30-35KT thereafter. Additionally, at KBIH in the northern
Owens Valley, northwesterly winds will become somewhat variable
during the afternoon and early evening, with speeds remaining
around 8-10KT. There is a low (less than 10%) chance for
thunderstorms to develop over the Sierra west of KBIH during the
afternoon, and if these occur, there could be an enhancement of
westerly winds at the terminal. Otherwise, VFR conditions will
prevail, with FEW-SCT clouds at or above 12kft, especially during
the afternoon.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Meltzer
AVIATION...Phillipson

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NWS Las Vegas (VEF) Office