High Wind in California, February 29, 2024

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
420 PM PST Thu Feb 29 2024

.SYNOPSIS...A deep low pressure system will bring strong winds and
snowfall to the forecast area through the end of the week.
This afternoon's southwesterly winds will increase over the next
few days and peaking on Saturday. Winter weather impacts include
heavy snowfall in the eastern Sierra and White Mountains and
blowing snow in Lincoln County. Calmer weather will return by the
start of the workweek next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...through Saturday.

Warmer than normal temperatures are expected across the region
today, with breezy southwesterly winds picking up later this
afternoon and early evening as a strong low pressure system
approaches the Pacific Northwest. Winds will only ramp up from here
as this system pushes inland and moves through the region on Friday
and Saturday. Widespread 40-50 mph wind gusts are expected across
southern Nevada, the Mojave Desert, and the Arizona Strip beginning
tomorrow afternoon. 40-50+ mph wind gusts are also expected in the
Owens Valley tomorrow. However, these winds will begin earlier with
the potential for strong westerly downslope winds at times. These
westerly winds will result in hazardous travel conditions along
Highway 395 through the Owens Valley on Friday and Saturday. Winds
on Friday will just be a taste of what's to come as winds will
increase further on Saturday. 55-65 mph southwesterly/westerly wind
gusts will be possible in the lower elevations of southern Nevada,
the Arizona Strip, Inyo County, and northern San Bernardino County.
At higher elevations 65-80+ mph winds will be possible, especially
along the ridgeline of the Sierra. Winds in the Colorado River
Valley and Southern Mohave County will not be quite that strong, but
will still be impactful, with 40-50 mph southerly wind gusts
expected on Saturday. Winds across the area will peak on Saturday
before gradually decreasing throughout the overnight and early
morning hours on Sunday.

The Sierra-Nevada will intercept a large portion of the moisture
from this system, which will limit the spatial extent of snow
impacts. 30-40 inches of snow will be possible in Aspendell, with
locally higher values expected at higher elevations. This snow
combined with 70-80+ mph wind gusts will result in dangerous to
impossible travel conditions. White out conditions will be possible.
6-12 inches of snow will be possible in the White Mountains of Inyo
County. This snow combined with 70+ mph wind gusts will result in
dangerous travel conditions. Dangerous travel conditions will also
be possible in Lincoln County, specifically along Highway 93 north
of Caliente. Snow accumulations will be minor, but 60 mph southerly
wind gusts will have the potential to result in white out
conditions. In fact, a Blizzard Warning has been issued for Lincoln
County from 7:00 am PST Saturday through 10:00 pm PST Saturday. This
is the first Blizzard Warning to be issued by the National Weather
Service in Las Vegas since January 2008. Outside of Inyo and Lincoln
Counties, snow accumulations will be minimal and limited to
elevations above 6,000 feet.

.LONG TERM...Sunday through next Thursday.

Improving weather conditions will occur across most of our forecast
area Sunday on the back side of the axis of the broad trough that
will still be spread across the entire northern Intermountain
Region. The potential for scattered snow showers will continue over
Lincoln and northern Mohave counties Sunday morning with 30-50
percent probabilities gradually decreasing in the afternoon and
evening. Southwest or west winds 15-25 mph can be expected across
Clark, Mohave and San Bernardino counties. High temps will be in the
60s across the desert zones...only about 5 degrees below normal.

Monday and Tuesday will see lighter zonal flow aloft as the broad
trough continues to lift and depart leading to fair weather with
light winds and temperatures climbing a few degrees each day.

A progressive a pattern is indicated by the medium range models with
an eastern Pacific trough likely moving into California and Nevada
Wednesday into Thursday. While it doesn't look particularly strong,
it will provide a return for precipitation chances (20-30%)
especially in the southern Sierra and mountains of southern Nevada
and far northwest Arizona. Something to keep an eye.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...Main story over the coming days will be
the strong southwest winds. These will develop late this morning and
persist through Saturday. There is a 50% chance of gusts between 25-
35 knots today and tonight. The chance of gusts over 35 knots is
around 25% in the late afternoon and evening. FEW-SCT mid-level and
SCT-BKN high clouds through the TAF period, with bases aoa 12kft.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...Gusty south-southwest winds develop today across the
area, persisting through the night at KDAG and the Las Vegas Valley
sites. Gusts are generally expected to be in the 20-30 knot range,
with KEED/KIFP closer to the lower end of this range while
KDAG/KHND/KVGT should be closer to the upper end. Moderate to severe
mechanical turbulence will be likely near and east of mountain
crests today through Saturday. FEW-SCT mid-level and SCT-BKN high clouds
through the TAF period, with bases aoa 12kft.

&&

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

&&

SHORT TERM...Stessman
LONG TERM...Adair
AVIATION...Woods

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