Winter storm may hit by Friday

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002 | 10:53 a.m.

Here are a few cold weather tips to keep families warm and safe this winter:

The first winter storm of the season, packing wind, cooler temperatures and possible rain showers, is expected to arrive in the Las Vegas Valley late tonight or Friday, National Weather Service forecasters said.

Instead of daytime highs in the 70s, temperatures will hover around 60 as a series of disturbances pushes clouds into Southern Nevada, National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Nemeth said.

Winds that could gust over 40 mph are expected as the weather system rides the polar jet stream through Southern Nevada, weather service meteorologist Charlie Schlott said. There is a 30 percent chance of rain in the valley on Friday.

"It's going to feel colder than it has been," Schlott said, "but it is that time of year."

The forecast calls for highs between 55 and 65 degrees on Friday and Saturday.

The wind is expected to clear the air.

"We need something like the wind to get this haze out of the valley," Schlott said, referring to dust in the air.

Most of the rain and snow is headed for Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada, forecaster Brian Fuis said.

Some Las Vegas residents expected and welcomed cooler weather before the weekend.

Tricia Mynster, who hails from from Monterey, Calif., said she was trying to dress for the changing season.

"I'm between wardrobes for summer and fall right now," she said during a class break at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "I have pulled out the box of sweaters, but I've only worn one."

And that one she wore on Wednesday, because she expected cooler temperatures.

Goodsprings resident Liz Warren said she was ready for anything, certainly for a change in the warm weather.

"The desert is so dry right now, any change is welcome," Warren said.

As cooler temperatures creep into Southern Nevada this week, safety and fire prevention experts urged residents to be careful in heating their homes.

While candles are cozy, fireplaces are heart-warming and electric blankets and space heaters add warmth, all of them can be dangerous, said Sharon Tutrone of the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada.

A candle's open flame can start a fire as easily as a space heater that glows too long, Tutrone said.

The National Fire Protection Association says that four out of seven home fires occur during November, December and January. Half of those fires are caused by candles and overloaded electric circuits, Tutrone said.

Dust can build up on furnaces, whether they are gas or electric, sending a stinking plume of haze as particles burn off, said Tim Szymanski, public information officer for the Las Vegas Fire Department.

However, if the smoke turns black and the furnace starts to rumble, leave the building and call 911, he said.

Space heaters should not be closer than three feet to anything that could catch fire, such as furniture, drapes or bedding, Szymanski said. Unplug the heaters when they are not in use.

Another invisible danger to homeowners is carbon monoxide. Often it can build up when a fire is lit under a faulty chimney.