Storm brings more than a quarter-inch of rain

By Tim Richardson

Published Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008 | 8:35 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008 | 3:46 p.m.

About one-fifth of Las Vegas' rainfall so far this year fell within four hours this morning.

The National Weather Service said 0.24 inches of rain fell between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. today, bringing the total this year at McCarran International Airport -- after another 0.04 inches later in the day -- to 1.31 inches. While other parts of the Las Vegas Valley have picked up greater amounts this year, McCarran has the area's official rain gauge.

A flood advisory was issued for the valley this morning as rain soaked the region -- part of a possible two-day event bringing the area's first widespread rain in months.

Minor flooding was reported this morning along the sides of roadways in areas with low elevations. Excessive runoff could cause elevated water levels in washes that normally stay dry, the weather service said.

No major weather problems had been reported through the afternoon.

The weather system is part of a strong Pacific storm that also is dumping snow at elevations higher than 7,500 feet, prompting forecasters to issue a winter weather advisory for the area in effect from 4 p.m. today through 10 a.m. Thursday. Through this afternoon, 1 inch of snow had fallen at 7,500 feet and 6 inches had fallen at 8,500 feet.

Up to 8 inches of snow could fall in higher elevations in the Mount Charleston area, where highs should only reach the low 40s.

The high temperature today in Las Vegas is expected to reach 64 degrees with a 70 percent chance of rain. Forecasters said rain chances will decrease to about 40 percent on Thanksgiving Day, then mostly sunny and dry conditions will return by Friday.

Before today, the last measurable rainfall at McCarran International Airport occurred on Nov. 9, when 0.01 of an inch fell. The weather service had recorded 0.12 inches of rain at the airport since the beginning of August.