904 FXUS65 KVEF 082133 AFDVEFArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 233 PM PDT Mon Sep 8 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
* Fall-like system brings breezy winds, cooler temperatures, and dry conditions to the Desert Southwest this week.
* Dense smoke and poor air quality will return for the Owens Valley each night through midweek as a result of the Garnet Fire.
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.DISCUSSION...Today through Sunday.
Afternoon high temperatures will be right around seasonal normals today, making today the hottest day of the forecast period. Heights will gradually fall as a fall-like trough approaches the Pacific Coast over the next few days, deamplifying the monsoonal high. As a result, pressure gradients will tighten with a southwest flow aloft, bringing gusty southwest winds and dry conditions to the region through the week. The exception to the dry conditions will exist along the Sierra Crest as well as portions of the southwestern Great Basin, where modest moisture coupled with lift and daytime heating may result in an isolated shower or thunderstorm. As such, slight precipitation chances (5-20 percent) exist for our northwestern zones Wednesday through Friday. Temperatures bottom out late-week at 6 to 10 degrees below seasonal normals before recovering through the weekend as the system jogs east.
The Garnet Fire east of Fresno is around 53,000 acres with around 15 percent containment. North-northwesterly winds brought dense smoke down the Owens Valley last night, with visibility at the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (KBIH) dropping below 2 statute miles for much of the overnight period and poor air quality observed on area sensors as far south as Olancha. Southerly winds this afternoon have improved air quality and visibility substantially. Barring any substantial changes to fire behavior, the Owens Valley can expect a repeat of dense smoke, poor air quality, and low visibilities each night through midweek. &&
.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 00Z Forecast Package... Gusty south-southwesterly winds will continue through the afternoon and early evening, with gust speeds peaking around 25 kts. Gusts decrease in speed and frequency after sunset before returning late- morning on Tuesday with speeds between 25 and 30 kts. FEW aoa 25 kft. Temperatures will remain below 100 degrees.
For the rest of southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona and southeastern California...For the 00Z Forecast Package... Gusty south-southwest winds will continue across the Las Vegas Valley and Colorado River Valley this afternoon, with gust speeds peaking around 25 kts. KBIH visibilities have improved substantially this afternoon, but will reduce once again after sunset with the return of northerly winds. KDAG will gust from the west between 25 and 30 kts intermittently throughout the TAF period. FEW aoa 25 kft. &&
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating procedures.
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DISCUSSION/AVIATION...Soulat
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NWS VEF Office Area Forecast Discussion