High Wind in California, March 31, 2026

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
910 PM PDT Tue Mar 31 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Gusty winds anticipated across the region this week, with patchy
  blowing dust and dangerous boating conditions expected.

* Light rain showers are expected this afternoon through early
  tomorrow morning, mainly across the southern Great Basin and
  northern Mohave County.

* Warmer and drier conditions return this weekend and into early
  next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...through Monday.

Gusty southwesterly winds will continue to increase across the
Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin this afternoon as a shortwave
approaches the coast and moves through the area. Wind Advisories
remain in effect for the Owens Valley, Death Valley, and across the
Mojave Desert along the I-15 corridor through later this evening as
widespread 40 to 50 mph wind gusts continue. The latest HREF shows a
40 to 50% chance of 40+ mph downslope winds in the southern Owens
Valley this evening, which would result in hazardous crosswinds
along HWY 395. In the Las Vegas Valley, the HREF has a 50 to 75%
chance of 40+ mph downslope winds making it to the western portion
of the 215 beltway, with a 20 to 30% chance of strong downslope
winds making it as far into the valley as Rainbow Blvd. With the
exception of northwestern San Bernardino County, winds will decrease
overnight and will be relatively lighter on Wednesday before picking
back up Thursday as a shortwave rolls through the Great Basin. In
northwestern San Bernardino County, strong westerly winds will
continue through Thursday evening. Ridging will build over the area
on Friday and Saturday, resulting in gusty north winds funneling
down the Colorado River Valley.

The latest satellite imagery shows moisture streaming from the
Pacific into southern California, through southern Nevada, and into
northwestern Arizona as a shortwave approaches the coast. Currently,
the only evidence of this moisture is overcast skies across the
region. However, portions of the area will see precipitation chances
increase as the shortwave swings through beginning this afternoon
and continuing through early tomorrow morning. Overall,
precipitation will be light with totals less than a tenth of an inch
for most places. The Eastern Sierra, higher terrain of Lincoln
County, Spring Mountains, and higher terrain of the Arizona strip
will be the exception with a few tenths of an inch of rain possible
this afternoon through early Wednesday morning.

As previously mentioned, ridging will set up over the region as we
head into the weekend, resulting in gusty north winds down the
Colorado River Valley on Friday and Saturday. These winds will let
up on Sunday as we head into next week, with temperatures rebounding
to around 10 degrees above normal by Monday thanks to the ridge.
This ridge will also allow for dry conditions to return to the area.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Gusty
southwesterly winds will continue through much of the night, with
gusts of 20 to 30 knots. Gusts will gradually ease in the early
morning hours but will redevelop by Wednesday afternoon, though
gusts are anticipated to remain under 30 knots. BKN to OVC skies
with CIGs 10 to 15kft AGL will continue thru tonight. There is also
a low chance of virga and associated erratic winds in the valley
from through 10Z. Skies will quickly clear Wednesday morning.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 06Z Forecast Package...Gusty south to
southwesterly winds will continue across much of the region through
the evening hours before gradually easing overnight. The strongest
winds are expected across the western Mojave Desert and KDAG, where
gusts in excess of 35 knots are possible.  Clouds this evening will
result in terrain obscuration, with the best chance for rain across
the higher terrain, including the eastern Sierra, southern Great
Basin, and portions of northwestern Arizona. Showers could be
accompanied by erratic gusty winds, and CIGs reduced to 8 to 12kft
AGL into early Wednesday morning. Skies will gradually improve
during the day Wednesday, although gusty winds will persist,
especially across the western Mojave Desert.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Stessman
AVIATION...Planz/Outler

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
821 PM PDT Tue Mar 31 2026

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

0515 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SSW Mercury           36.62N 116.02W
03/31/2026  M58 MPH          Nye                NV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station A22AD 2.9 SW Mercury (ARL
            SORD). Single gust to 58 mph.

0553 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SW Mercury            36.62N 116.03W
03/31/2026  M58 MPH          Nye                NV   ASOS

            ASOS station KDRA Desert Rock Airport.
            Single gust of 58 mph.

0715 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 19 N Mercury            36.94N 116.04W
03/31/2026  M70 MPH          Nye                NV   Mesonet

            Mesonet station A06AE 19.4 N Mercury (ARL
            SORD). Gusts over 58 mph began at 1915 and
            continued through 1945.

1133 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 24 SSE Littlefield      36.58N 113.73W
03/31/2026  M66 MPH          Mohave             AZ   Mesonet

            Mesonet station QTWA3 Tweeds Point. At 1133
            MST the Tweeds Point RAWS began recording
            wind gusts in excess of 58 mph. These gusts
            continued until 1633 MST. The peak gust
            observed during this time was 66 mph at 1133
            MST.

&&