034
FXUS65 KVEF 151019
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
218 AM PST Sun Feb 15 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* A strong weather system will bring widespread precipitation, heavy
  mountain snow, and gusty winds to the region Monday into Tuesday.

* The weather pattern will remain active with a second, colder
  system moving through the region late Tuesday into Wednesday.

* Cooler than normal temperatures will continue through the end of
  the week as troughing persists over the region

&&

.DISCUSSION...through Saturday

Breezy southerly winds are expected across the region today as an
upper-level trough approaches the West Coast. This trough will be
the first of multiple systems that move through the Southwestern
US this week, bringing widespread showers, heavy mountain snow,
and strong southerly winds to our forecast area Monday into
Tuesday. Snow levels will start out around 6,000 to 7,000 feet
with this system, which will limit impactful snow accumulations to
the Eastern Sierra, White Mountains, and higher terrain of
southern Nevada where Winter Storm Warnings will go into effect on
Monday. Snow levels will fall throughout the event, with the
potential for minor snow accumulations in the Owens Valley as rain
transitions to snow overnight Monday into Tuesday. Below the snow
line, expect light-to- moderate showers Monday into Tuesday.
These showers will result in wet, slick roadways making traffic
accidents more likely. In addition to widespread showers and heavy
mountain snow, this system will also bring widespread, gusty
southerly winds the region Monday into Tuesday. Monday`s Wind
Advisory has been expanded further into southern Nevada, with 40+
mph wind gusts now expected across the Mojave Desert, through
southern Nevada, and into northwestern Arizona.

Gusty southerly winds will continue across the region through
Tuesday and into Wednesday as a second system moves through the
region right on the heels of the first system. This system will be
colder than its predecessor, with snow-levels starting off around
4,000 to 5,000 feet. Chances for at least minor winter impacts
increase to 80%+ across Esmeralda County, Central Nye County,
Lincoln County, the Arizona Strip, Spring Mountains, and Mountains
of Inyo County by Wednesday morning as snow falls across lower
elevations. In addition to the aforementioned areas, Interstate 15
through Mountain Pass has an 80%+ chance of seeing winter driving
conditions with this second round of snow, which may result in
accidents and delays. As was the case with the first system,
elevations below the snow line can expect to see light-to-moderate
rain showers as this second system rolls through.

Beyond Wednesday, colder than normal temperatures will stick around
through the end of the week with shortwave delivering a reinforcing
shot of cold air on Thursday. Precipitation chances with this
shortwave are lower than with the two previous systems as the second
system will sweep most of the anomalous moisture from the region.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 12Z Forecast Package...Light
winds this morning will give way to southerly breezes during the
afternoon with gusts up to 20 knots possible, mainly after 21z.
Winds will ease after sunset and remain light and southerly
overnight before returning Monday. SCT-BKN high clouds are expected
most of the day, with CIGS generally abvoe 15kft AGL.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 12Z Forecast Package... Gusty southerly winds
will continue through the TAF period around the Owens Valley and
near KBIH with afternoon gusts to 30 knots. Elsewhere, more typical
daily wind patterns are expected, with southerly gusts in the
Colorado River Valley affecting KEED and KIFP. SCT-BKN high clouds
can be expected at all airfields, mainly AOA 15kft AGL.

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Stessman
AVIATION...Outler

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