Weather getting back to normal

Thursday, June 10, 2004 | 10:05 a.m.

A low pressure system coming into Las Vegas from the Pacific Northwest Wednesday brought brief snow flurries to Mount Charleston and temperatures in the mid 70s to the valley.

"Although it was unseasonably cold, I thought it was quite pleasant -- certainly a respite from last week's (105-plus degree) high temperatures," said Charlie Schlott, meteorologist for the National Weather Service at McCarran International Airport.

"And it looks like we will have a pleasant weekend too as temperatures return to just below 100 degrees, which is normal for this time of year."

Schlott said the low pressure system in the upper atmosphere dropped temperatures 20 degrees below normal Wednesday to a daytime high of 77 degrees.

Temperatures in the mid-80s were expected today, low-90s Friday, mid-90s Saturday, upper-90s on Sunday and 100 degrees on Monday, he said.

The fire department at Mount Charleston reported snow falling about 2:30 p.m. but not sticking as the temperature at the time was 43 degrees, Schlott said.

The Weather Service does not keep statistics on how many times snow has fallen in June on the mountain, but Schlott said, "You more likely will not see snow falling often on June 9."

Native Las Vegan Dave Bunyea, a graveshift bartender at the Mount Charleston Lodge, said there was no snow falling by the time he got to work Wednesday night. But he said the cool weather has brought in brisk business.

"It is an oddity to see snow fall here in June," Bunyea said. "The only snow we have left is the little bit that is on the ground near the peak.

"We get busy this time of year because it gets so hot in the valley and people come here for relief."