Light rain, isolated thunderstorms bring cooler temperatures

By Mary Manning

Thursday, July 2, 2009 | 6:43 a.m.

As light rain fell near McCarran International Airport this morning, weather forecasters expect continued showers and some isolated thunderstorms to keep daytime temperatures cooler in the Las Vegas Valley.

The forecast calls for more showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Thursday with a chance of rain at 40 percent today. Since McCarran is the official weather station for Las Vegas, rain, temperatures and wind speeds are measured and recorded there.

Instead of hitting mid to upper 100s today, the daytime high should range from the lower to middle 90s as the rain falls.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for southwestern Utah, including St. George, Cedar City and Zion National Park as the best chance for heavier rainfall is north of Las Vegas.

Chances for showers continue through tonight and into Friday before gradual clearing takes place, the weather service said.

Then an unusual low pressure system pushes south along the California coast and kicks up winds and brings cooler temperatures through the middle of next week. Again temperatures will drop into the 90s after a weekend of daytime highs ranging from the lower to mid 100s. However, the coming weather shift will cut off the moist flow of air, keeping Southern Nevada and the Southwest drier.