A strengthening trough approached the California coast, bringing strong southerly winds ahead of it. High winds were recorded across the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).
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The episode as NWS VEF wrote it up.
A strengthening trough approached the California coast, bringing strong southerly winds ahead of it. High winds were recorded across the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Las Vegas, NV wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 21, 11:55 AM PST, 40 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 1255 PM PDT Tue Apr 21 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... * Gusty south-southwest winds across the forecast area today, with High Wind Warnings in effect in the southwestern Great Basin and Wind Advisories elsewhere. * Quiet weather returns later this week before the region gears up for the approach of another weather system over the weekend. && .DISCUSSION...Today through Monday. Winds have started to increase early this afternoon across Inyo, Esmeralda, and central Nye counties ahead of a deep areas of low pressure that is currently approaching the northern California coast. As this low approaches this afternoon, winds will continue to increase with widespread wind gusts over 40 mph for much of the region. The strongest winds still look to remain over Esmeralda and central Nye counties, along with Death Valley NP where gusts 50 to 60 mph are expected. A High Wind Warning remains in place through 10pm for the aforementioned areas with Wind Advisories in place for the remainder of the area. Latest hires models are indicating the potential for stronger downslope winds in the lee of the Spring Mountains and potentially the far western edges of the Las Vegas Valley. Went ahead and extended the Wind Advisory for those areas until 5am Wednesday as the strong west wind gusts look to persist into the early morning hours. Wind gusts 40 to 50 mph are expected, with localized gusts to 60 mph possible. A cold front will move through the region late tonight and Wednesday, with winds shifting to the northwest behind the front. Winds will generally be 15 to 25 mph with gusts to around 30 mph behind the front. The windiest areas on Wednesday will be the western Mojave Desert and Mohave County where wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph are expected just ahead of the front. These winds will gradually diminish during the afternoon behind the front. Lastly, precipitation chances will mainly be confined to the Sierra where there is a 50 to 70 percent chance of precipitation over the crest. Snow amounts above 9500 feet could exceed 12 inches with accumulations of just a few inches possible down to 8000 feet; however, most of the moisture will be blocked and snow amounts will be limited to just a few inches down to 8000 feet. Outside of the Sierra, precipitation chance will remain limited and mainly confined to the higher elevations of Esmeralda County. A zonal pattern forms aloft as the the low pressure system tracks east into the Great Plains later this week. Temperatures increase several degrees and highs should be within a few degrees of normal for late April. Another system could reach the forecast area over the weekend, but discrepancy remains between models regarding depth, speed, and position of the low as it moves across the region. Increased winds, cooler temperatures, and precipitation are all within the realm of possibility. && .AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Gusty south-southwest winds kick in shortly and stick around through most of the TAF period. At their peak, gusts of 30-40 knots are likely (70%). Uncertainty in wind magnitude increases during the evening and overnight hours, with periods of lighter winds possible (30%). Even greater uncertainty exists Wednesday morning as northerly breezes try to reach the terminal. Should they reach (40% chance), expect light northwest winds for 3-6 hours between 16z and 22z. Otherwise, southwest winds persist during this time. Mostly clear skies with just a few mid-level and high clouds. For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Gusty southwest winds expected across the region today, strongest northwest of Interstate 15. Here gusts of 30-45 knots are anticipated, while gusts of 25-35 knots are forecast southeast of I-15. Winds gradually subside overnight but remain elevated. Few to scattered mid-level and high clouds. Dry conditions largely prevail, though some sprinkles or brief, light showers may spill over the Sierra and into the Owens Valley. && .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures. && DISCUSSION...Gorelow AVIATION...Woods For more forecast information...see us on our webpage: https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
High wind gusts were recorded at mesonet sites on the Nevada National Security Site and along U.S. Highway 95.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Nevada in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, April 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1335547.