High Wind in California, February 6, 2017

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
223 PM PST Mon Feb 6 2017

.SYNOPSIS...An active Pacific Jet stream aimed at the Great
Basin will keep most of the area dry and mild with periods of high
clouds. The Sierra and mountains of the southern Great Basin will
see occasional bouts of lower clouds and precipitation through
Wednesday. Gusty winds will continue across much of the area through
Tuesday.
&&

.SHORT TERM...Tonight through Wednesday Night.

Strong, moist westerly flow continues across the region this
afternoon, bringing copious amounts of mid and high level clouds.
Winds have also increased in many areas, with the strongest winds
across the Sierra and western San Bernardino County thus far today.
Winds are expected to continue to increase late this afternoon and
then again Tuesday in areas south of Las Vegas. Meanwhile another
round of precipitation is expected to impact the Sierra tonight
through Tuesday night bringing significant precipitation west of
the crest. Snow levels will rise from around 8000 feet up to 9500
feet with this second system, and most snowfall is expected near the
crest. This pattern is not particularly favorable for significant
precipitation spillover east of the crest, and therefore only light
precipitation totals are currently forecast for the Owens Valley
and the higher terrain east of the Sierra. Considered a Flood Watch
for the Sierra and Owens Valley based on rain on snow combined with
snowmelt, but currently models are keeping the brunt of the
precipitation far enough west that the threat appears minimal for
significant flooding. We'll be keeping an eye on this potential
however.

Precipitation chances will gradually retreat Tuesday night through
Wednesday. Winds are also expected to be much lighter area wide
Wednesday.

.LONG TERM...Thursday through Monday.

Thursday looks like it should be the warmest day most of the
forecast area has experienced since mid November with highs across
the Mojave Desert zones of 75-85 degrees. This is due to the
amplified ridge which will be moving over the western states ahead of
a Pacific trough which will move inland Friday and
Saturday...bringing some unsettled weather but only minor impacts.
Southwest flow ahead of the trough will still keep temperatures well
above normal Friday though increasing cloud cover and chances for
precipitation will spread across the forecast area through Friday
night. The southern Sierra and coastal mountains will intercept most
of the moisture plume associated with the trough but some light rain
and high elevation snow will be possible before the moisture slides
off to the east. Snow levels will generally be above 8000 feet when
most of the moisture moves across. The center of the trough is now
forecast to slide across southern Nevada Saturday and Saturday night
as it dives over Arizona and northwest Mexico Sunday and Monday.
This will lead to temperatures pulling back to normal by Saturday
with increasing north to northeast winds Saturday through Monday.
&&

.AVIATION...For McCarran...South to southwest winds will mainly
hover around 15-20 kts with gusts 25-30 kts at times through
Tuesday. However, winds may lull for a while later tonight. CIGs
should persist at 5-6 kft into the evening, possibly becoming
scattered late this evening and overnight before cigs develop again
early Tuesday morning.

For the rest of southern Nevada...northwest Arizona...and southeast
California...Most areas will have southwest winds 15-20 kts with
gusts 25-35 kts through Tuesday. Areas of gusts 40-50 kts are
possible over western San Bernardino County and the Sierra and
Spring Mountains. Cigs 4-7 kft will be common through Tuesday with
mountain showers possible.
&&

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

Short Term...Wolcott
Long Term....Adair
Aviation.....Harrison

For more forecast information...see us on our webpage:

http://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter