Catch up on the latest weather trends from sunny skies in Las Vegas to unexpected snowfall in Sierra Nevada with Amy Freeze’s detailed Southwest forecast.

Meteorologist Amy Freeze presents a riveting update on the transitioning weather across the Southwest. With varying conditions from rain along the California coast to warm breezes in the deserts, understand what these changes mean for your area and how to prepare for them. A storm system is advancing into the Southwest from the Pacific Ocean, bringing much-needed rain along the northern California coastline near Redding. These showers are tracking southeast, delivering precipitation to central areas like Fresno and Bakersfield. Snow is falling over the Sierra Nevada mountains, while Reno remains shielded from the heavier showers. Up in Nevada, Ely remains dry under clear skies, contrasting with the activity along the coast. Similarly, the southern stretch from Los Angeles to San Diego enjoys clear conditions with just a touch of cloud cover. As we shift toward the interior Southwest, locations such as Las Vegas and Cedar City are warming up to above average temperatures for this time in April. Farther east toward Flagstaff, there’s a possibility of encountering snowflakes, hinting at colder temperatures and wintry conditions. Salt Lake City stays clear, experiencing no significant precipitation at this time.
Salt Lake City temperatures through the afternoon are in the upper 50s, reaching 57 degrees by 4 PM and rising slightly to 59 degrees by 6 PM. The area continues to enjoy sunny skies with a light northwesterly breeze shifting from 8 to 6 miles per hour.
In Los Angeles, we’re seeing a pleasant high of 75 degrees, while San Diego warms up nicely to 79. Bakersfield is a bit hotter today, hitting 82 degrees, and Fresno is close behind with a high of 81. Shifting to the eastern part of the region, Las Vegas is warm and sunny at 81 degrees. Meanwhile, in Ely, temperatures are more mild, reaching only 63 degrees. Flagstaff is even cooler with a high of just 57 degrees, while Cedar City manages to climb to 59 degrees.
Over in Flagstaff, Arizona, expect a chilly 34 degrees, making it the coldest in the region. Las Vegas is forecasted to cool down to 61 degrees. Moving to southern California, Los Angeles will reach a low of 50 degrees, while San Diego remains slightly warmer at 52. In the central Valley, Fresno will settle at 52 degrees, and Bakersfield will be a bit warmer at 55.
In Phoenix, temperatures will climb to a sizzling 88 degrees—well above average for this time of year. Las Vegas will also experience significant warmth, hitting 86 degrees. Further north, Ely reaches a comfortable 68 degrees, while Cedar City will see a cooler high of 66 degrees. San Diego enjoys 72 degrees, and Los Angeles warms up to 72 as well. Fresno and Bakersfield will feel the heat, with highs of 79 and 82 degrees respectively. Up in San Francisco, temperatures remain cooler, reaching only 61 degrees.
In the Southwest, expect a dynamic day as a robust weather system moves in. The desert areas remain sunny and warm; however, the coast has quite a different story. A band of rain is advancing toward the California coastline, impacting the Bay Area and up through Northern California. Heavy rain is expected to reach San Francisco by Tuesday evening, leading to potential flooding in low-lying areas. As the system pushes farther inland by Wednesday, Southern California, including the San Bernardino Valley, will experience downpours with possible thunderstorms. Keep an eye out for updates as this weather pattern unfolds.
The UV index in Salt Lake City will be a moderate 6 today and tomorrow, with a burn time of about 23 minutes.