Winds bring back dust to Las Vegas skies on Sunday

By KIMBER LAUX LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

10 years ago

Traffic moves along U.S. Highway 95 near Boulder Highway as the Strip is seen partially obscured by dust in the background in Las Vegas on April 1, 2015. A dust advisory has been issued for Easter afternoon through Monday, April 6, 2015. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The valley can expect windy, dusty Easter egg hunts Sunday afternoon, according to the Clark County Department of Air Quality.

Due to sustained winds forecast between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, the department on Friday advised residents and local construction site operators of blowing dust starting Sunday afternoon and into Monday morning.

While unhealthy levels of dust were not occurring Friday afternoon, air quality officials sent out a notice to construction sites in Las Vegas and outlying areas, requesting they take precautions to prevent blowing dust in the coming days.

Air quality officials will monitor conditions and will post an alert on the air quality department’s forecast page if unhealthy levels of dust occur, the release said.

The county advised residents to drive slowly on unpaved roads, avoid shortcuts across vacant lots and run the air conditioner inside houses and cars to filter particles out of the air.

Officials also suggested avoiding outdoor exercise Sunday because heavy breathing makes inhaling particles more likely.

Light winds were also forecast for Saturday, with gusts between 20 and 30 mph, according to the National Weather Service. High temperatures for the weekend are expected to be about 80 degrees.

The strongest winds are forecast for late Sunday afternoon and into the evening, but will drop off late Sunday night, weather service meteorologist Chris Stachelski said Friday afternoon.

Winds will continue through the week, accompanying increasingly cool high temperatures of 73 degrees Monday, 70 on Tuesday and 65 on Wednesday. Lows are expected to stick around the low to mid-50s for the first part of the week.

Weather models are showing a 20 percent chance for showers Wednesday afternoon, Stachelski said. Models aren’t predicting a huge rain event, but the storm will likely be “just enough to wet the roads,” he said.

The valley will warm up and dry out later in the week. The coolest morning of the week is expected Thursday, when temperatures will dip to 47 degrees before they climb to 71 degrees in the afternoon and 77 degrees on Friday.

Contact Kimber Laux at klaux@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find her on Twitter: @lauxkimber