Daniel Larson flies a radio-controlled plane as Mojo, an 8-month-old golden retriever, plays with his leash at Paseo Verde Park in Henderson Wednesday, December 29, 2010. Skies were overcast ahead of a winter storm that will drop temperatures through the weekend.
Published Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010 | 8:38 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010 | 11:45 a.m.
Cyclists head eastbound on a path along Paseo Verde Parkway in Henderson Wednesday, December 29, 2010. Skies were overcast ahead of a winter storm that will drop temperatures through the weekend.
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Rain that fell early this morning in parts of Southern Nevada might give way to snow showers tonight as a cold front brings gusty winds to the region just in time for New Year's Eve.
Wind gusts could reach 33 mph as rain moves into the region this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Dropping temperatures will bring a 40 percent chance of light snow tonight in the valley, but little to no accumulation is expected.
No rain had fallen at McCarran International Airport today through the late morning.
Today's high temperature is expected to reach 58 degrees with a low early Thursday of 36 degrees — a chilly temperature that might overstay its welcome in Las Vegas. As rain and snow showers move out of the region tonight, forecasters said the cold weather will be here to stay through the weekend.
That means New Year's Eve revelers may need to accessorize with scarves and gloves this year given Saturday morning's low temperature of 30 degrees.
During the day Thursday and Friday, thermometers will top out near 43 despite mostly sunny weather. Temperatures both nights will bottom out around 30, the weather service said.
The New Year's Eve temperature could set a record in Las Vegas. The chilliest high temperature on Dec. 31 in Las Vegas occurred in 1975, when the mercury topped out at 45 degrees. Friday's excepted high of 43 degrees would make it the coldest high temperature on New Year's Eve since records have been kept.
The reason for the winter chill is a strong low pressure system over the Pacific Northwest that is diving southeast into the Las Vegas area today.
While the Las Vegas Valley likely will only see a few snowflakes, a new blanket of snow will cover higher elevations in Clark County, the weather service said.
Forecasters canceled a winter storm warning for Clark County but issued a winter weather advisory for areas above 5,000 feet for snow and blowing snow until 4 p.m. today. Snow accumulations will range from 2 to 4 inches between 5,000 and 7,000 feet and 4 to 7 inches above 7,000 feet.
The winter weather will bring southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, forecasters said.
Farther north, the mountains of Lincoln County are under a winter storm warning as heavy snow is expected through early Thursday, forecasters said. The winter storm warning remains in effect until midnight for elevations above 5,000 feet. Up to 20 inches of snow could fall in higher elevations in Lincoln County.
The snow will make travel in the mountains difficult with reduced visible and possible whiteout conditions, forecasters said.
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