676
FXUS65 KVEF 032300
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
300 PM PST Sat Jan 3 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Heavy snow will return to the Sierra Saturday and Sunday with
  moderate to major impacts above 7000 feet.

* Unsettled weather persists through the week with periods of breezy
  winds, light rain, and mountain snow.

&&

.DISCUSSION...through Friday.

Latest radar and satellite imagery shows a solid plume of moisture
and precipitation streaming into the southern Sierra this morning
and afternoon. Automated snow sites in our portion of the Eastern
Sierra have measured up to 6" of new snow as of 10AM PST.
Accumulations will continue to pile up, and slowly begin at lower
elevations as snow levels fall to ~6500 feet. Total accumulations of
5-15" likely between 8-10kft, with up to 6" between 7-8kft. A Winter
Storm Warning remains in effect until 4AM Monday.

Anomalous moisture remains in place (as evidenced by the abundant
low clouds) thanks to a large trough off the West Coast. Shortwaves
embedded in the southwesterly flow will spark periods of
precipitation across the rest of the area. Outside of western Inyo
County, this precipitation will be light (chances for 0.25"+ in any
24-hr window is less than 25%). Combined with snow levels generally
6-8kft, the potential for winter impacts outside of the Sierra is
low (under 30%). Best chances for precipitation are today through
Monday, mainly in areas along and north of Interstate 15. In terms
of winds, periods of gusts between 20-35 mph are likely (70%) across
the area, but chances for impactful gusts over 40 mph are generally
below 30%.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 00Z Forecast Package...No
impactful winds anticipated until Sunday afternoon when the chance
for 10+ knot southwest winds increases to 70%. CIGs have generally
improved around the valley with bases around 6kft which is expected
to continue through late evening. There will be some showers around
southern Nevada overnight, but at this time they look to remain over
the higher terrain with less than a 15% chance of any showers over
the terminal. We may also see CIGs drop back to around 4kft after
10Z and continue through mid morning before increasing. Southwest
winds will also increase Saturday afternoon with gusts to around
20kts.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona and
southeastern California...For the 00Z Forecast Package...Breezy
south to southeast winds 25-30kts will continue overnight for Inyo,
Esmeralda, and central Nye counties with winds generally less than
10kts elsewhere. Showers have ended near KBIH and CIGs have
increased to around 6-8kft which are expected to prevail for much of
the evening. A few showers will track east with some isolated
showers near KDAG and the Las Vegas Valley sites this evening;
however, showers are not expected to impact the terminals directly.
Some lower clouds to around 4-5kft are possible. Elsewhere, CIGs
will generally remain around 4-6kft with some isolated lower CIGs at
times overnight.
&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Woods
AVIATION...Gorelow


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