Flash Flood Warning 122, NWS Las Vegas, NV

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1016 AM PST Wed Dec 24 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Widespread rainfall today with isolated flash flooding, snow at
  the high elevations, and gusty winds that 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 end of the week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...through early next week.

Much anticipated storm system is currently making its approach
along the West Coast, with tonight's satellite imagery depicting
a deep fetch of moisture extending into the subtropics aimed into
the southern California coastal ranges. This moist storm system
will gradually shift east today, with the plume of moderate to
locally heavy rainfall shifting into our western zones by
daybreak, and gradually working east through the afternoon hours.
Additional light showers may develop ahead of this primary
rainband, further priming the environment for measurable rainfall
later in the day. Overall - the general message remains the same
with at least some degree of flood risk for sensitive basins and
broad desert watersheds. The Spring Mountains in particular may
squeeze out several inches of rain from the precipitation band
which could lead to excessive runoff and areas of roadway debris
during the heaviest rainfall rates. Across the Mojave Desert
zones, the general expectation is for between 0.25-0.75 inches of
rain, though the usual fail modes of exaggerated rainshadowing
downwind of terrain features will still exist. Precipitation will
shift east tonight with conditions becoming more showery Thursday
before another impulse spreads additional light rain and mountain
snow through the region on Friday. Thereafter, a trend towards
gradually drying conditions is expected over the weekend.

Very high snow levels will limit the snow totals across most of
the mountain terrain. The exception will be in the Sierra given
their prominence where several feet of snow accumulation is
expected along the crest and significant snow totals are still
anticipated above 7000 feet. Heavy snow of a lesser magnitude is
also expected in the White Mountains. Further east - snow levels
this morning will start near 10k feet in the Spring Mountains,
limiting any hope for fresh snow in all but the very highest
peaks. Snow levels will drop closer to 7000 feet Thursday and
Friday under more showery conditions, and some light accumulations
will be possible then.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Adverse
conditions are expected into tonight as showers continue to move
through the Las Vegas Valley. CIGs in the 2kft to 5kft AGL range are
expected through the afternoon. Showers are expected to become more
widespread after 00Z, which could result in CIGs falling below 1kft
AGL and visibilities dropping below 3SM at times between 00Z and
06Z. The more widespread showers will end by late evening; however,
scattered showers will continue intermittently on Thursday. The wind
forecast is challenging this afternoon, with occasional gusts to 20
knots out of the south likely in and near shower activity. However,
once the steadier rain develops this evening, the gustiness should
diminish and lighter winds are expected to prevail overnight.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Adverse flight
conditions will persist across the region this afternoon as showers
and areas of steadier rainfall continue.  CIGs in the 2kft to 5kft
AGL range can be expected across large portions of the region, along
with surface visibilities dropping below 3SM at times. The steadier
rain will move east of the region overnight; however, scattered
showers will continue over much of the area on Thursday. Gusty
southerly winds will persist into the afternoon, but in areas where
the steadier rain is occurring, winds should become lighter. Snow
resulting in mountain obscuration will also occur along the higher
peaks of the Sierra and White Mountains in southern California.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Outler
AVIATION...Planz

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

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
702 AM PST Wed Dec 24 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0634 AM     Fog              2 E Joshua Tree         34.14N 116.28W
12/24/2025  E0.02 Mi         San Bernardino     CA   Law Enforcement

            CHP reports visibility of less than 100 feet
            due to fog.

&&

MS