Severe storm watch for Las Vegas area canceled

By Dave Toplikar

Published Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009 | 7:05 a.m.

Updated Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009 | 10:08 p.m.

Flood warnings and the threat of severe thunderstorms loomed this afternoon over the Las Vegas Valley as scattered storms were bringing heavy rain, high winds and hail to southwest Arizona and southeastern California.

The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m. for Clark and Lincoln counties in Nevada, but it was canceled this evening.

Gusty winds roared through the valley early this evening.

At 4:57 p.m., the weather service said Doppler radar had indicated that a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter-sized hail was located near Topock and was moving east at 20 mph, heading to the northern end of Lake Havasu.

The weather service has urged those on or near Lake Havasu to immediately get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle because lighting can strike out to 15 miles from the parent thunderstorm. Hearing thunder means you are close enough to be struck by lightning, the weather service warned.

The weather service said that at 4:12 p.m., Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter-sized hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph was over east-central San Bernardino County, about 18 miles southwest of Topock and moving northeast at 20 mph. Radar indicated some rotation was beginning to develop in that storm, the weather service said.

The storm, which was expected to stay in mostly rural areas, was expected to produced deadly cloud-to-ground lightning, the weather service said. Those outside should move to a shelter, preferably a strong building, and stay away from windows, the weather service said.

Flood advisory

At 3:54 p.m., the weather service continued its a flood advisory until 5:45 p.m. for rapid rises in normally dry washes in in north central San Bernardino County in southeast California and south central Clark County in southern Nevada. At 3:50 p.m., radar indicated thunderstorm continued to move across State Route 164 from the junction of Mountain Pass in California to mile marker 7 in Nevada, the weather service said. The California Highway Patrol has reported that water over parts of Highway 164 in that area has closed the roadway.

The weather service advised against trying to travel across flooded roads because several inches of swiftly flowing water could carry vehicles away.

Heaviest rains south of Las Vegas

Light rain fell about 2:15 p.m. in Henderson south of Interstate 215. But all of this afternoon's heavy rains and flooding have been south of the Las Vegas Valley:

-- At 3:01 p.m., radar indicated a persistent thunderstorm over U.S. Highway 95 around Searchlight. Radar estimated that between 1 and 2 inches of rain had fallen between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., the weather service said. The locations affected include Cal Nev Ari, Cottonwood Cove and Searchlight, the weather service said.

-- At 2:11 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain persisting west of U.S. Highway 95 and north of Nipton Road. Radar estimated 2 to 4 inches of rain had fallen in the area since 11 a.m. The Nevada Highway Patrol reported that officers were escorting northbound traffic on U.S. 95 near mile marker 28 due to minor flooding on the road.

-- At 2:33 p.m., the weather service said local law enforcement officlas reported flash flooding over California Highway 62 between mile markers 64 and 67 with debris over the road. Thunderstorms will continue north of the highway that could produce contued run off over the area roads, the weather service said. The storm was expected to remain over mainly rural areas. The heaviest rains, which were upwards of 1.5 inches, were over the Mid Hills and New York Mountains. Travelers on the Bryant-Cima Road between Nipton and Kelso were advised to be prepared for rising water crossing the road.

Chance of storms continues

In the Las Vegas Valley, there's a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today, with a high near 95 degrees. Today's normal high is 101 degrees and the record high was 109 degrees, set in 1998.

Tonight's forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms before 11 p.m., with the possibility of some storms being severe, the weather service said.

On Monday, isolated to scattered thunderstorms will linger in the area, the weather service said. The Las Vegas Valley will have a 30 percent chance of precipitation Monday, mainly after 11 a.m., forecasters said.

Monday's afternoon high will climb to 97 degrees, the weather service said.