Storms bring rain, hail but little relief from heat

Severe thunderstorm warning lifted

Dave Toplikar

Thunderstorms blustered into Las Vegas this afternoon, streaking the Strip with rain and cooling off temperatures that had been above 110 degrees. This photo shows the Strip about 5:30 p.m. looking northwest from a vantage point near St. Rose and Interstate 215 in Henderson.

By Sun Staff (contact)

Published Saturday, July 18, 2009 | 3:53 p.m.

Updated Saturday, July 18, 2009 | 10:56 p.m.

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Current conditions, today's forecast, neighborhood weather conditions, historical climatological information

Thunderstorms brought clouds and rain to the Las Vegas Valley this afternoon but little relief from the extreme heat.

Saturday saw the highest temperature so far this year — 113 degrees — but by 6 p.m., the temperature had dropped to 103 degrees.

Afternoon storms brought other weather hazards, including winds of more than 50 mph, minor flooding and half-inch hail. Through 11 p.m., the city had officially picked up 0.01 of an inch of rain Saturday, in the 10 p.m. hour.

The National Weather Service issued a 45-minute severe thunderstorm warning for eastern Clark County when a major storm developed over the Lake Mead National Recreation Area about 5 p.m.

Rainfall varied widely around the valley, with the Rancho Detention Basin recording 0.16 of an inch and McCarran International Airport staying completely dry, according to data from the Clark County Regional Flood Control District.

The weather service said storms may continue through the evening and temperatures will continue to drop until reaching a low of 88 degrees tonight.

A strong ridge of high pressure is expected to remain in the area, bringing higher than average temperatures Sunday, the service said.

After a Sunday high of 112 degrees, high temperatures are expected to drop to 109 degrees Monday and Tuesday.

An excessive heat warning remains in effect through 8 p.m. Sunday for elevations below 4,000 feet.