Weather prompts road closures in BC

Cassie Tomlin

Chuck Pounds, of Boulder City, walks his dogs Buster and Bailey in the snow today.

News staff

Published Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008 | 4:53 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008 | 6:16 p.m.

DEC. 17, 2008 SNOWFALL IN LAS VEGAS

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Winter storm warning for Las Vegas, 6 inches of snow possible (12-17-2008)

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday with 3 to 6 inches of snow possible.

Boulder City at 5 p.m. was closing U.S. 93, the main route into town, at Veterans Memorial Drive, Police Chief Thomas Finn said. Residents would not be allowed to head toward Henderson, and those coming into town would be directed on back roads via Veterans Memorial Drive.

The decision to close the main highway was made, Finn said, because the roadway was treacherous across Railroad Pass.

About 2 p.m., Boulder City activated its emergency operations center in the basement of the police station.

The good news, Finn said, was that drivers were being careful.

"Speeds are down. We're still not getting a lot of crashes," he said. "I hope people stay home."

Nevada Department of Transportation has closed U.S. 95 between Railroad Pass and State Route 163 to Searchlight because of snow and ice.

It closed around 1:45 p.m. and will reopen when weather conditions change, Bob Mckenzie, NDOT spokesman said.

He said trucks and cars can wait at Primm for the road to reopen or turn around to take the dam route.

Snow was falling this afternoon in much of the Las Vegas Valley. Forecasters said heavy snow is possible in the valley and desert areas of Clark, Lincoln and southern Nye counties.

An advisory from the weather service this afternoon called the snow event "extremely rare."

Forecasters said snow will continue to fall through the afternoon before tapering off Thursday morning. Up to 10 inches is possible along the foothills above 2,500 feet in elevation.

Becky Bosshart and Cassie Tomlin contributed to this report.