Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Soaking rain to move out by midday

The Las Vegas Valley received a thorough soaking during the last 24 hours, but the slow and steady rain does not pose a danger of causing floods, and the precipitation should mostly be gone by midday, according to the National Weather Service.

Average rainfall in the valley was just under a half an inch from 8 a.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday, National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Kennedy said.

At Rainbow Canyon, 10 inches of snow was reported, and a report of 13 inches of snow came in from the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort on Mt. Charleston.

Henderson received the most rain in the valley, with nearly three-quarters of an inch reported.

“There really isn’t a risk of flooding because of the intensity and duration of the storm,” Kennedy said. “During monsoon season in the summer we may get three-quarters of an inch in a half hour or less.”

While early-morning commuters awoke to a steady rain, the storm system was already east of the valley by 8:30 a.m.

“The storm is well to the east now and continuing to move east,” Kennedy said. “By this afternoon, the only area that even has a slight chance of rain is Mt. Charleston. There is another weak disturbance that will come through later this afternoon and tonight.”

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Loy Hixson said there were an above-average number of traffic accidents in the last 24 hours, but officials had not compiled total numbers.

“There has been nothing serious, which is good,” Hixson said. “But we have seen a higher number of accidents than an average day, mostly because drivers are not slowing down and not paying attention. A majority of the accidents are single vehicle.”

So far this year, the valley has received 5 inches of precipitation, surpassing the annual average of 4.19 inches. The record, set in 1941, is 10.72 inches.

Looking ahead, the National Weather Service project weekend high temperatures to be in the mid 50s and lows to be in the high 30s. There is a slight chance of more rain predicted for Tuesday.

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