Thunderstorms expected in the valley through Tuesday

By Cristina Chang, Paul Takahashi

Published Monday, July 23, 2012 | 2:21 p.m.

Updated Monday, July 23, 2012 | 9:46 p.m.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will persist in the eastern Las Vegas Valley on Tuesday but will give way to dry weather through the rest of the week, National Weather Service meteorologists forecast. Rains may return late this weekend or early next week.

Despite a flash flood warning for west-central Clark County and unconfirmed reports of isolated downpours in the western valley, flash flooding did not affect the Las Vegas metropolitan area Monday.

Sandy Valley, which is about 35 miles west of Las Vegas, was the only populated area within the area affected by the flash flood warning, Andrew Gorelow, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said Monday afternoon.

The flash flood warning was issued after the weather service detected a thunderstorm producing heavy rain nine miles north of Sandy Valley. Other areas affected include the southern end of the Pahrump valley and the Old Spanish Trail Highway. The warning remained in effect until 3:15 p.m.

While flash flooding is expected to occur in the region, it is uncertain where it will hit, Gorelow said. He advises motorists who run into heavy rain to slow down and avoid flooded roadways.

Flash floods are nature’s No. 1 killer, according to the weather service.

For the most current weather conditions, visit www.lasvegassun.com/weather.