651 FXUS65 KVEF 172150 AFDVEFArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 250 PM PDT Wed Sep 17 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
* Increasing tropical moisture will move into the region Thursday and Friday, bringing chances for showers and thunderstorms. Locally heavy rain and high rainfall rates will lead to an increased risk of flash flooding.
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.DISCUSSION...through Tuesday.
Current satellite imagery shows a batch of tropical moisture moving towards the southern California Coast. Thunderstorms are ongoing in northern Baja and the San Gabriel Mountains in California. This moisture is expected to be pushed inland by an eastward moving trough over the next two days, sending PWATs to over 200 percent of normal for this time of year. Mid and high cloud cover will hinder widespread convection across much of southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona tomorrow. However, enough clearing behind the cloud cover combined with ample moisture will create a favorable environment for convection in the deserts of southeastern California. Storm development begins in the morning after sunrise and will last throughout the day and overnight. Mid and upper level support and some training potential means that rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible. Therefore, issued a Flood Watch for San Bernardino County from 8 AM PDT Thursday to 2 AM PDT on Friday. Friday should be less robust as the best forcing exits the area, but lingering moisture and instability will leave an active monsoonal environment. The area should gradually dry out over the weekend and early next week. Temperatures will increase next week and reach above average values by Tuesday.
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.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 00Z Forecast Package...Light and diurnal winds with speeds of less than 10 knots are expected through most of the forecast period. Occasional gusts to around 15 knots are possible through the evening. Winds will become southwesterly overnight, returning to the east-northeast Thursday morning. Thunderstorm activity picks up in southern Nevada Thursday afternoon, but confidence in timing and placement is low at this time. BKN to SCT cloud cover moves in overnight, lasting through tomorrow, with bases between 10 and 12 kft.
For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California...For the 00Z Forecast Package...Light and diurnal winds are expected for most locations through the rest of today and tonight. BKN mid and upper level cloud cover moves into the area tonight and tomorrow. The greatest confidence for thunderstorm activity tomorrow is in San Bernardino County including KDAG. Convection may begin as early as 15Z and storms may produce heavy downpours and gusty outflow winds. Additional storms are possible in southern Nevada, but confidence in timing and placement is low at this time.
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.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures.
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DISCUSSION/AVIATION...Meltzer
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NWS VEF Office Area Forecast Discussion