High Wind Warning 4, NWS Las Vegas, NV

576 
WWUS75 KVEF 010726
NPWVEF

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1126 PM PST Thu Feb 28 2019

...Strong downslope winds on the eastern Sierra slopes and Owens
Valley subsiding...

CAZ519-520-010830-
/O.CAN.KVEF.HW.W.0004.000000T0000Z-190301T1400Z/
Eastern Sierra Slopes-Owens Valley-
Including Aspendell, Whitney Portal, Bishop, 
Independence, Lone Pine, and Olancha
1126 PM PST Thu Feb 28 2019

...HIGH WIND WARNING IS CANCELLED...

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has cancelled the High
Wind Warning. 

Wind gusts have subsided greatly since sunset. High-resolution
model guidance and upstream/representative soundings indicate
conditions are not favorable for redevelopment overnight. While
winds may remain breezy, speeds will not likely exceed 40 mph for
the rest of the overnight.

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
230 PM PST Thu Feb 28 2019

.SYNOPSIS...Strong wind gusts will continue into the evening in
favored locations along the Sierra east slopes with mild and breezy
conditions expected elsewhere. Similar conditions can be expected
Friday before a weather system moves in over the weekend bringing
chances for rain and some mountain snow to the region. Dry weather
returns for the start of the week but a stronger, wet weather system
is expected late Tuesday into Wednesday increasing the potential for
significant amounts of rain and high elevation snow in some areas.
&&

.DISCUSSION...

Beginning to see some downsloping winds registering on east slope
sensors with 40-50 mph gusts noted at multiple sensors. Hires models
have the strongest winds now through 10 pm so thus far, the wind
advisory looks good. Elsewhere, we are seeing areas of wind gusts
between 20-30 mph. Generally, winds look similar on Friday except in
the Sierra where the stronger winds will be tied to the higher
terrain and downslope winds are not expected. Temperatures will
continue to be above normal although slightly cooler on Friday.

Friday night into Saturday, we will see the next AR event unfold
with the Sierra seeing the brunt of the precipitation. A Winter
Storm Watch continues for the Sierra east slopes on Saturday when
around 10 inches of snow could fall. The higher elevations could see
1-2 feet with higher amounts along the Sierra crest. Elsewhere, 2-5
inch amounts are possible in the high elevations of northern Lincoln
County with 4-8 inches above 8000 feet in the Spring Mountains. Rain
amounts look highest in the Owens Valley where .25-.75 inches are
forecast with amounts ranging from a tenth to a third of an inch
elsewhere. A few showers are possible across the southern Great
Basin mountains on Sunday/Sunday night. Monday looks dry area wide
as shortwave ridging moves across the region. By Tuesday, the ridge
axis shifts to our east with an increasing southwest flow directing
moisture towards the area ahead of the next system slated to push
into the area late Tuesday into Wednesday. Low spread continues in
the ensemble forecasts resulting in high confidence that this AR
event will impact our area. Lower confidence in details largely due
to the model resolution this far out. This mid week system could
bring significant snow to the southern Sierra including the
Aspendell area with significant rainfall amounts possible in
portions of Inyo County. Thursday looks drier however, weather
pattern differences are apparent among the deterministic models and
ensemble guidance so.
&&

.AVIATION...For McCarran...Prevailing south-southwest wind
through tonight. Sustained speeds will range between 8-12kt, with
gusts to 20 kts into early evening. Gusts subside around 03Z this
evening but sustained speeds look to stay between 8-12 kts
overnight. A period of lighter winds is expected to develop Friday
morning and continue much of the day before south-southwest winds
overspread the valley. A few lower clouds will continue to cap the
area mountains into this evening. Afterwards, look for increasing
clouds above 12 kft

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...Prevailing south-southwest winds across the region from
the western Mojave Desert to the Spring Mountains of Southern
Nevada, and along the southern Sierra Nevada will continue during
the period. Mechanical turbulence expected in the lee of the
southern Sierra Nevada tonight. Within the Colorado River, winds
will favor typical typical diurnal trends. A few lower clouds will
continue to cap the southern Sierra Nevada and Great Basin Ranges
while clouds increase above 12 kft.
&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotter activation is not
anticipated at this time, however, spotters are encouraged to report
any significant winds, wind damage or impacts that occurs.
&&

DISCUSSION...Salmen
AVIATION...Pierce

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