Warm windy day gives way to cooler Friday

Ashley Hofstrand, center, reacts as the wind blows paper from a bag held by Mkat Hecht, right, as they walk along the Strip in Las Vegas Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. On the left is Ashley Evan. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for the Las Vegas area. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The wind blows Ashley Evan's hair as she walks along the Strip in Las Vegas Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for the Las Vegas area. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Roberta Hiscock tries to keep her wind blown hair off her face as she walks along the Strip in Las Vegas Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for the Las Vegas area. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A woman in a showgirl costume walks against the wind near the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas on Thursday. (Courtesy, Tonya Carpenter/Instagram)

Concrete workers, from left, Pedro Flores, Miguel Carrasco, and Angel Villasnr do their best to complete their task despite the strong winds and blowing dust that swept through the Las Vegas valley on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Concrete worker Angel Villasnr manages to keep his hat on despite the strong winds and blowing dust that swept through the Las Vegas valley on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Concrete workers, from left, Pedro Flores, Angel Villasnr, and Miguel Carrasco do their best to complete their task despite the strong winds and blowing dust that swept through the Las Vegas valley on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Thursday’s record-breaking high and gusty winds should give way to cooler temperatures and light breezes today after a cold front settled on the Las Vegas Valley.

Warm winds ahead of the front drove the temperature from 57 to 70 degrees in just more than 30 minutes Thursday morning at McCarran International Airport, according to the National Weather Service. Las Vegas reached 73 degrees around 11 a.m., breaking a record high of 72 for Jan. 30 set in 1971.

The wind knocked out power for about 1,400 customers, said NV Energy’s Jennifer Schuricht. Weather-related outages started about 2 p.m. and affected mainly the area near Lake Mead Boulevard and Tenaya Way. Blustery winds earned an advisory from the Weather Service with gusts expected to push up to 55 mph.

While some in the valley likely saw a few sprinkles, it wasn’t enough to break the 57-day dry spell.

“There would have to be precipitation by the airport for it to be official,” Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Metzger said.

There’s a 20 percent chance of rain today. Temperatures will struggle to reach 60 degrees, and the high-50s should stick around into next week.

Contact reporter Kimber Laux at klaux@reviewjournal.com or at 702-383-0391.Contact reporter Maria Agreda at magreda@reviewjournal.com and (702)383-0391.