422 FXUS65 KVEF 191936 AFDVEFArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 1236 PM PDT Fri Sep 19 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
* Tropical moisture will fuel chances for more showers and thunderstorms through this evening.
* Slight chances for showers and thunderstorms will linger through the weekend, with more uncertainty next week as additional tropical moisture could get pulled northward.
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.DISCUSSION...through Thursday.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms have developed through the morning and early afternoon in response to a moist and weakly unstable environment. Compared to yesterday, moisture has decreased from very high levels, but widespread PWATs of 1-1.5 inches were still in place over the region. The main area of low pressure and forcing has shifted north of the area thus forcing has decreased and so far activity has been more isolated than yesterday. Skies have become partly to mostly sunny over portions of southern Nevada and northwest Arizona, which has allowed for some destabilization to occur. This set up will be in place through the afternoon, which should lead to scattered thunderstorms to develop as CAPE increases to around 1000 J/Kg. Without a significant forcing mechanism though, thunderstorms will mainly favor the terrain then potentially blowing off into valley area late this afternoon. Additionally, the only area where decent forcing should be available this afternoon will be in northern Inyo County which is closest to the center of the upper level low. This will also result showers and thunderstorms for northern Inyo into Esmeralda and central Nye counties. With ample moisture, any storms could produce heavy rain with isolated flash flooding possible. As a but more dry air has moved into the region compared to yesterday, there is also a low risk for sudden gusty outflow winds with thunderstorms. As the sun sets and we lose the daytime heating, instability will wane and thunderstorms activity will diminish.
As moisture and upper-level support continue to decrease over the weekend, convection is forecast to become even more isolated and diurnally-driven. Friday night through the weekend should be more of a low-grade monsoon pattern, with storms developing over the mountains in the afternoons and dissipating after sunset. A new cutoff low developing off the central California coast will be the wild card for the upcoming week. If and when this low moves east, it will tap into moisture still lingering in our area and/or pull up more moisture from the tropics, setting off another round of showers and storms. There is a lot of model disagreement on whether and when this happens, as well as how far north or south the low might be if and when it occurs, so confidence in next week`s forecast is extremely low. The main message is that thunderstorm season isn`t quite done yet.
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.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop in the vicinity of the terminal after 20Z, with far less areal coverage compared to yesterday. Most likely, thunderstorms and impacts will remain outside the terminals, with the highest risk for convective impacts being at KHND. Storms today could produce sudden gusty winds, heavy rain, and CIGs to 7000ft. Convection will wane after 00Z, and are not expected to redevelop on Saturday. Breezy southeast winds are expected today with gusts 15-20KT expected. Moderate confidence in direction, though variability between 120-180 degrees (true) is possible. Southwest winds at 8KT or less will return around sunset before winds become light and variable once overnight. VFR conditions will persist as SCT-BKN clouds around 10kft before clouds clear tonight.
For the rest of southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona and southeastern California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms return to the region this afternoon across southern Nevada into western Arizona as well as in northern Inyo. CIGs to 5000ft, heavy rain, sudden gusty winds, and lightning possible with any storms today, with KBIH having the highest chances for direct impacts at a TAF site this afternoon. KDAG, KEED, and KIFP should not see thunderstorms today as areal coverage is expected to be too sparse to include in the prevailing TAF. Convection will quickly diminish after sunset. Typical diurnal winds trends are expected today and tonight outside of thunderstorm influence. Southeast gusts up to 20KT are possible at KBIH this afternoon but will wane after sunset. VFR conditions will persist as SCT-BKN clouds around 10kft before clouds clear tonight. &&
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures.
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DISCUSSION/AVIATION...Nickerson
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NWS VEF Office Area Forecast Discussion