Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004 | 9:23 a.m.
Although the sun broke through the clouds today, a lot more rain is on the way for the Las Vegas Valley.
The valley can expect a slight chance of rain Wednesday afternoon, followed by rain showers throughout the evening, said National Weather Service meteorologist Larry Jensen.
"Las Vegas will get hit pretty hard Wednesday night," he said.
Showers are expected to begin to taper off Thursday morning, Jensen said.
Jensen does not expect the rain to cause any flooding.
The past few days have brought record rainfall amounts to the valley, but flooding has not been an issue, said Clark County Fire Department spokesman Bob Leinbach.
"We got several reports where people thought they saw something, but we got out there and didn't find anything," he said. "It's just been kind of a slow steady raining kind of season.
"If it's a sudden rain, though, we'll catch some flooding and we'll stay pretty busy."
Clark County Regional Flood Control District spokeswoman Betty Hollister said winter rains tend to be "more gentle than intense summer storms."
"They're steady over a longer period of time," she said.
However, with additional rain in the forecast, it is important that residents be cautious and stay away from low road crossings and streets that may be closed because of some flooding, Hollister said in a written statement.
"There are areas and dip sections that could see some isolated problems," she said. "If you encounter a flood area on the road, turn around, find another route, and don't take unnecessary chances."
After several flight delays for the past two days, McCarran International Airport had only one this morning, and that was because of weather in Chicago, spokeswoman Debbie Millett said.
"Right now we are looking good," Millett said.
The mountains are also getting their share of winter storms, Jensen said.
"Right now, there is a winter storm watch for the southern Sierras," he said. "For Wednesday, we have a weather storm watch for the Spring Mountains. There's a decent storm moving into the area for Wednesday afternoon and night and into Thursday."
The U.S. Forest Service warned the public today of an "extreme" potential for avalanches in Kyle and Lee canyons, including the backcountry areas of the Spring Mountains and Mount Charleston.
The warning will remain in place until the current storm passes through the area.
The warning does not apply to the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort, where an additional 8 inches of snow accumulated over the last 24 hours, according to the resort's website this morning.
Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided or confined to low-angle terrain away from avalanche paths, the forest service said.
Warning periods typically last for one to three days. The warning was first issued Monday.
For more information, contact the Forest Service at 515-5400 or visit the local office located at 4701 N. Torrey Pines.
Information can also be found at www.avalanche.org or www.csac.org.
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