Winds prompt air quality warning

Wednesday, April 28, 2004 | 9:20 a.m.

For more information about current air quality conditions, visit the monitoring section of Air Quality's Web site: www.accessclarkcounty.com.

The Clark County Air Quality Division has issued an air quality advisory for residents with health problems to expect high winds to kick up dust today.

Children, senior citizens and people with chronic respiratory problems are urged to stay indoors, and all residents should limit outdoor exercise.

County officials also asked those in charge of construction sites to control blowing dust and debris as required by local air quality regulations.

The National Weather Service issued a high wind advisory overnight for all of Southern Nevada because a strong cold weather front was expected to move into the area, Weather Service meteorologist Brian Fuis said.

Winds between 30 mph and 40 mph were expected this afternoon with gusts up to 60 mph or more, Fuis said.

The winds are expected to last through the night, switching from a southwest to a northwest flow on Thursday.

"This system is more consistent with an early spring windstorm," Fuis said.

March and most of April were unremarkable as far as winds, he said.

No rain is expected in the Las Vegas Valley. Most of the showers are expected to stay to the north.

A drop in daytime temperature will be noticeable on Thursday, forecasters said.

After a high of 94 degrees on Tuesday, and the low 90s expected today, Thursday's high is expected in the low 80s.

Dry, windy conditions tend to worsen the valley's dust pollution problems, county spokeswoman Stacey Welling said.

The Las Vegas Valley currently does not meet the federal 24-hour air quality limit for dust, Welling said.

To report excessive amounts of dust, there is a 24-hour dust complaint hotline. Call 385-DUST (3878) to report excessive amounts of dust.

County officials also recommended these tips to keep dust down: