Gusty winds kick up valley dust advisory

Tuesday, June 8, 2004 | 11:38 a.m.

After a scorcher of a weekend, the weather this week should cool off, thanks to 30 mph winds, the National Weather Service said.

But the winds, which are expected to gust up to 45 mph, also are expected to kick up dust, causing the Clark County Air Quality Division issued a dust advisory through Wednesday.

Dry, windy conditions tend to make the Las Vegas Valley's dust problems worse, county spokeswoman Stacey Welling said.

The Las Vegas Valley, which was found in 1993 a "serious non-attainment area" for dust by the Environmental Protection Agency, has a plan in place to clean up the airborne dust by 2006. Last month a public awareness campaign was launched to encourage people to stay off dirt roads.

Public health officials urge children, seniors and people with chronic lung diseases and conditions such as asthma to stay indoors when the dust kicks up, Welling said.

Officials also recommend that all residents limit outdoor exercise during dust storms.

Because of the advisory, county officials notified construction-site operators to take steps to stabilize properties to prevent blowing dust and debris as required by local air-quality regulations, Welling said.

There is also a 24-hour dust complaint hotline to report excessive amounts of blowing dust. The number is (702) 385-DUST or 385-3878.

As a low-pressure system sweeps into Northern California today, weather service forecasters said winds from the southwest will pick up speed in the Las Vegas Valley. There is no rain in the forecast.

As windy conditions persist, today's high temperature is expected to drop from the 107 of Saturday and Sunday to the mid-90s.

By Wednesday the daytime high could reach about 88 degrees, weather service forecasters said.

Lows are expected in the lower 70s for tonight but could drop into the mid-60s by Wednesday night.

While Thursday will remain cooler than normal, with possible highs in the upper 80s, warmer, calmer and drier conditions are predicted for the weekend.