Light rain breaks Las Vegas Valley dry spell
After 56 days of no precipitation in the Las Vegas Valley, snow hit the Spring Mountains and showers dampened the desert — barely enough to end a record-breaking winter dry spell.
Morning commuters drove through light rain Friday, but not where it counted, at least not officially. McCarran International Airport, where the National Weather Service records weather for the valley, did not see any of the rainfall during the first part of the day.
By 6:30 p.m., only a “trace” amount of rain had been recorded at McCarran.
North Las Vegas airport reported six one-hundredths of 1 inch of rain.
Nellis Air Force Base said they got two one-hundredths of 1 inch.
“It’s been a while since we had to deal with any kind of rain,” said Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Metzger. “It’s kind of interesting to see.”
The high in the valley was 58 degrees and cool temperatures are expected throughout the weekend following a record high of 73 on Thursday. Winds should be 10-15 mph, mere breezes compared to Thursday’s gusts that knocked out power in parts of the valley.
Snow fell in Kyle and Lee canyons on Mount Charleston early Friday morning, where the temperature was a chilly 29 degrees. The Kyle Canyon Fire Station recorded 2 inches of snow.
Snow chains were required on both Kyle Canyon Road and Lee Canyon Road, as well as Deer Springs Road, which runs between them.
Review-Journal writer Wesley Juhl contributed to this report.
Contact reporter Annalise Porter at aporter@reviewjournal.com.