High Wind in Arizona, February 19, 2026

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
347 PM PST Thu Feb 19 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

*  Another round of wind and precipitation impacts will continue
   through this evening.

*  Drier conditions return tomorrow, continuing through the
   weekend and into early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...through early next week.

As expected, a band of precipitation has filled in across the Mojave
Desert, through southern Nevada, and into northwestern Arizona as
yet another system drops into the area. Snow levels will drop to
around 3,000 to 3,500 feet with this system, but accumulations will
be limited to elevations above 4,000 feet. HiRes models continue to
show the Spring Mountains being hit hard this afternoon, with
multiple models showing snowfall rates of 1.0" per hour or greater.
Another area of concern is Interstate 15 through Mountain Pass in
northeastern San Bernardino County, which also has the potential to
see a period of moderate to heavy snow this afternoon. Below the
snow line, precipitation will be light with wet, slick roads being
the primary impact. In addition to precipitation, this system has
also brought gusty winds to the Mojave Desert. This system will also
bring cooler temperatures with the coldest temperatures of the week
expected overnight tonight and tomorrow night.

Things will dry out as ridging builds over the area going into the
weekend. This ridge will stick around into early next week, allowing
for temperatures to rebound back up to above normal by early next
week. A few weak weather systems may try to enter the region
early next week, but will struggle to overcome the ridge.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 00Z Forecast
Package...South winds will bounce around over the next few hours,
ranging from under 8KT when rain is falling to 10-15KT with gusts to
around 20KT during lulls in precipitation. Rain with CIGs dropping
below 5000ft is expected to continue at times through around 03Z,
then precipitation will clear to the east an CIGs will quickly
improve. VFR conditions are expected the rest of the TAF period.
Moderate confidence in the wind forecast after rain ends, southwest
to west winds can be expected but uncertain how strong gusts will
be. Gusts over 25KT are likely and there is a low chance for gusts
over 35KT through about 09Z. After 09Z tonight, winds will diminish
with gusts ending by 12Z at the latest then speeds dropping to 8KT
or less Friday morning. Winds will shift northwest around 18Z Friday
and could briefly jump to around 10KT with isolated gusts up to 20KT
with wind shift, but will quickly drop back under 8KT. By Friday
evening, light winds following typical directional patterns will
return.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 00Z Forecast Package...Precipitation in San
Bernardino, southern Nevada, and western Arizona will continue into
the evening. CIGs to 3000-5000ft, 5-6SM visibility, and light rain
is expected with this precipitation in the valleys. Above 4000ft,
snow with CIGS below 3000ft and visibility below 3 SM is possible.
Precipitation will wind down and shift east tonight, exiting into
central Arizona by 12Z Friday morning. Once precipitation ends, a
dry forecast with VFR conditions are expected the rest of the TAF
period. Gusty south to southwest wind will continue through the
Western Mojave Desert into southern Nevada into the first part of
the night with widespread gusts to 25-35KT and higher gusts
possible. Winds will diminish the second half of the night into
Friday morning with generally light out of the northwest Friday.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Stessman
AVIATION...Nickerson

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
551 PM PST Thu Feb 19 2026

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

0244 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 12 NNW Twentynine Palms 34.28N 116.17W
02/19/2026  M71 MPH          San Bernardino     CA   AWOS

            AWOS station KNXP Twentynine Palms Airfield.

0530 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 W Yucca Valley        34.12N 116.49W
02/19/2026  M66 MPH          San Bernardino     CA   Mesonet

            Mesonet station SE349 3.4 W Yucca Valley
            (SCE).

&&