823
FXUS65 KVEF 132030
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
130 PM PDT Fri Mar 13 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Breezy north in the Colorado River Valley on Sunday and Monday
  will make for choppy waves on Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu.

* A significant warming trend will continue into next week with
  long-stranding March heat records likely to be broken across
  much of the Western US by the end of the week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...through next weekend.

Low amplitude high pressure ridge continues to hold strong across
the southwestern US this afternoon, with some increasing cirrus
advancing in from the west this evening. This ridging and
associated anomalous heights in the 579-583dm range are keeping
our temperatures quite mild by March standards, and temps will
top out 10-15 degrees above normal. A subtle shortwave will move
through on Saturday along with a deeper trough digging southward
out of the northern Rockies. This will spread some increased high
level clouds through the region tomorrow along with increasing
west-northwesterly winds across the Great Basin.

Thereafter,strong northerly winds will funnel down the Colorado
River Valley Sunday and Monday as high pressure builds over the
Great Basin. These winds will result in choppy waves on area
lakes, specifically Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu, and will make for
hazardous boating conditions. Those planning on heading to the
lakes this weekend should make sure to check the Recreation
Forecast and should make sure to always wear a life jacket when on
the water. North winds will linger down the Colorado River Valley
into Tuesday, but will be much lighter.

By early next week, a historically strong high pressure ridge
will build along the West Coast and slowly work inland across the
Southwest through the end of the week. Unprecedented heights of
591-594dm are advertised across the Mojave Desert by late week,
which will translate to widespread lower desert temperatures well
into the mid and upper 90s, and perhaps even 100+ degrees by
Thu/Fri. This will yield widespread Minor-to- Moderate HeatRisk
(Levels 1 and 2 of 4) across the region through at least the end
of the week. Heat sensitive individuals, people who have not had
the chance to acclimate to the heat, and those without access to
adequate cooling and hydration will be at the greatest risk for
adverse heat related impacts. People traveling to the Southwest
for Spring Break or making outdoor recreation plans should make
sure to take proper precautions to mitigate negative heat impacts
by wearing lightweight and light colored clothing, taking extra
care to remain hydrated, and wearing sunscreen.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Winds
will remain under 8KT, following typical daily directional
patterns with some variability. VFR conditions will prevail, with
increasing mid-level and high clouds through tonight with bases at
or above 15kft.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Across the region,
winds will generally follow typical daily/terrain-driven
directional patterns for most of the forecast period, with speeds
around 5-10KT. Exceptions include portions of the Lower Colorado
River Valley, particularly in the vicinity of KIFP, where terrain
enhancement will yield gusty northerly winds through late this
afternoon. Late in the period, gusty northwesterly winds look to
develop down the Owens Valley, with gusts to 20-25KT at KBIH, and
across the western Mojave including KDAG, westerly winds will ramp
up quickly Saturday morning, with gusts exceeding 25KT. VFR
conditions prevail with increasing mid-level and high clouds with
bases at or above 15kft.

&&

.CLIMATE...Numerous climate locations have a forecast high
temperature and/or forecast warm low temperature within 3 degrees of
the daily record.

The table below shows the daily record maximum temperature and the
year the record was last set. An asterisk (*) denotes which records
are in jeopardy (within 3 degrees of the forecast).

MAX           FRI, MAR 13  SAT, MAR 14  SUN, MAR 15  MON, MAR 16
              Record(Yr)   Record(Yr)   Record(Yr)   Record (Yr)

Las Vegas     90(2007)     89(2007)*    88(2017)     89(2007)
Bishop        85(2007)     84(2007)     82(2007)     84(2007)*
Needles       96(2007)*    96(2017)*    95(2007)     98(2007)
Daggett       93(2007)     92(2007)     93(2013)     93(2007)
Kingman       84(2007)*    86(2013)     87(2007)     90(1934)
Desert Rock   85(2007)*    84(2017)*    85(2013)     86(2007)
Death Valley  97(2007)     98(2007)*    99(2007)     99(2007)*

The table below shows the daily record warm minimum temperature and
the year the record was last set. An asterisk (*) denotes which
records are in jeopardy (within 3 degrees of the forecast).

WARM MIN      FRI, MAR 13  SAT, MAR 14  SUN, MAR 15  MON, MAR 16
              Record(Yr)   Record(Yr)   Record(Yr)   Record (Yr)

Las Vegas     60(2015)     64(2003)*    61(2017)*    64(2011)
Bishop        45(2018)     46(2020)     46(2004)     42(1976)*
Needles       68(1900)     65(1926)     63(1972)     69(2007)
Daggett       60(1972)     57(2007)*    60(2013)     58(2013)*
Kingman       56(1989)     53(1926)*    53(1947)*    55(2013)
Desert Rock   55(2012)     57(2003)*    54(2007)*    61(1997)
Death Valley  69(1994)     66(2023)*    71(2003)     72(1972)

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Outler
AVIATION...Phillipson

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NWS Las Vegas (VEF) Office