902
FXUS65 KVEF 171851
AFDVEF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
1151 AM PDT Tue Mar 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Temperatures rise throughout the week, resulting in an
  unprecedented heat wave for March.

&&

.DISCUSSION...through Monday.

Models continue to a building 500mb high over the western US this
week, resulting in a significant warming trend. Highs today will be
15-20 degrees above normal. By the end of the week, these anomalies
are forecast to be 25-30 degrees. At the peak of the heat, high
temperatures across the Mojave Desert will be in the upper 90s
and 100s while the southern Great Basin is in the mid 80s to mid
90s. For perspective, the March record for Las Vegas is 93
degrees. Model guidance gives us at least a 75% chance of reaching
this threshold every day Wednesday through Sunday. In addition,
there is a 50% chance of reaching 100 on Friday and Saturday. The
earliest recorded 100 in Las Vegas is May 1st. Long story short,
this heat is unprecedented for March. Because of this, Extreme
Heat Warnings are in effect for the Mojave Desert from Wednesday -
Sunday, with Heat Advisories in effect for the Owens Valley and
southern Great Basin Wednesday - Saturday. By early next week,
models suggest the ridge will flatten thanks to a shortwave moving
into the PacNW. This should bring temperatures down (but likely
still above normal) and produce breezy conditions.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Winds
remain less than 10 knots and follow typical daily directional
patterns throughout the forecast period. With increased afternoon
heating, an isolated wind gust to 15 knots cannot be ruled out,
although the chance of this occurring is less than 20 percent. VFR
conditions will prevail with a few bands of high clouds with bases
AOA 25kft AGL into this evening, then SKC thereafter.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...For the 18Z Forecast Package...Expect winds of less
than 10 knots following the usual daily directional patterns at most
locations throughout the forecast period. The exception will be in
the Colorado River Valley, including KEED and KIFP, where gusty
northerly winds will persist into the afternoon before decreasing
after sunset. VFR conditions will prevail with FEW to SCT high
clouds around 25kft AGL through the evening, then mainly SKC
thereafter.

&&

.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           TUE, MAR 17  WED, MAR 18  THU, MAR 19  FRI, MAR 20
              Record(Yr)   Record(Yr)   Record (Yr)  Record (Yr)

Las Vegas     91(2007)*    90(2017)*     90(2017)*   90(2004)*
Bishop        84(2007)*    82(2007)*     82(2004)*   84(2004)*
Needles       99(2007)*    95(2017)*     98(2017)*   97(2004)*
Daggett       92(2007)*    89(2017)*     89(2017)*   94(1997)*
Kingman       89(2007)*    83(2017)*     85(1907)*   89(2004)*
Desert Rock   87(2007)*    84(2017)*     85(1997)*   86(2004)*
Death Valley  102(2007)*   102(2007)*    99(2017)*   97(2004)*

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      TUE, MAR 17  WED, MAR 18  THU, MAR 19  FRI, MAR 20
              Record(Yr)   Record(Yr)   Record (Yr)  Record (Yr)

Las Vegas     64(1994)*    65(2015)*     63(2017)*   68(2017)*
Bishop        46(2015)     49(2015)      48(2013)    46(2013)*
Needles       64(1901)*    70(1914)      68(1914)    69(2017)*
Daggett       60(1974)*    63(1974)*     61(2013)*   60(2017)*
Kingman       50(1947)*    54(1974)*     54(1953)*   54(1936)*
Desert Rock   58(1993)*    56(1994)*     53(2013)*   59(2017)*
Death Valley  72(2013)     75(1916)      75(1916)    73(2017)*

&&

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

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Woods
AVIATION...Planz

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NWS Las Vegas (VEF) Office