Las Vegas and the surrounding areas are bracing for inclement weather as the National Weather Service (NWS) in Las Vegas has updated its forecast to include increased snowfall accumulations for the higher elevations and a series of precipitation events spread throughout the coming days. According to an Area Forecast Discussion released by the NWS, locations above 6,000 feet are now under Winter Storm Warnings, as snowfall estimates have increased.
The initial bout of precipitation is expected to hit the eastern Sierra slopes by mid-morning today, with snow levels starting between 6500 and 7500 feet. Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall is anticipated across the western Mojave Desert and southwestern Great Basin under 6500 feet. As the low-pressure center moves southeastward, it will bring moisture up the Colorado River Valley and into the Mojave Desert, leading to more significant mountain snowfall accumulations in southwestern Nevada than previously anticipated. This has led to an upgrade from Winter Weather Advisories to Winter Storm Warnings for Esmeralda, Spring Mountains, and the Sheep Range, where the likelihood of substantial snowfall has dramatically increased. “The chances of 8 inches of storm total snowfall in Kyle and Lee Canyons are now 90% and 95%, respectively,” the NWS statement revealed.
Moreover, Southern Nevada and parts of California and Arizona should expect south to southeast winds gusting 20 to 30 knots, particularly in central Nye, Esmeralda, and northern Inyo counties. Later tonight and into Tuesday morning, the precipitation will move east, encompassing most of the region, which could result in reduced visibility, low ceilings, and terrain obscuration…