Las Vegas and surrounding counties are in for a rowdy afternoon and evening on Tuesday, with the National Weather Service calling for sustained southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph and stronger gusts across the region. The advisory stretches across the Las Vegas Valley and much of Lincoln County, and reaches into pockets of northwestern Arizona and southeastern California. Forecasters have also upgraded an earlier high wind watch to a high wind warning for parts of central Nye County and all of Esmeralda County, where gusts are expected to be significantly stronger.
According to KESQ, the National Weather Service says the advisory lasts from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday and calls for southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. The alert highlights portions of northwestern Arizona, southeastern California and southern Nevada as being in the zone. At those speeds, unsecured outdoor items can get blown around and loose debris can quickly turn into airborne projectiles.
As outlined by the National Weather Service, the earlier high wind watch has been elevated to a high wind warning for central Nye County and all of Esmeralda County, where south winds could roar in with gusts up to 60 mph. Forecasters warn that those stronger gusts raise the chances of downed tree limbs and more widespread power outages, especially in exposed rural stretches. The agency is urging anyone driving through those counties during the warning period to use extra caution.
Impacts and travel risks
The gusty pattern is expected to kick up blowing dust near dry lake beds and cut visibility along rural routes and key interstate corridors. According to KESQ, high profile vehicles such as RVs and semis may have a tough time staying steady, and loose outdoor items that are not tied down could be tossed around.
How to prepare
Residents are urged to secure patio furniture, tarps, signs and any loose equipment, and to avoid parking under large trees to cut down on potential damage and cleanup. As detailed by the National Weather Service, boaters should steer clear of Lake Mead during the gustiest periods, and drivers should slow down and leave extra room on the road, especially if they are behind the wheel of high profile vehicles. Locals are also encouraged to monitor utility outage pages and keep phones charged and emergency kits ready in case the lights go out.
Local outlets picked up on the advisory after the NWS posted its bulletin Monday, and forecasters will be updating the outlook as the system moves through. For the original local write up, see 8 News Now.
