Las Vegas should see mostly sunny skies, with isolated thunderstorms possible. Highs are forecast at 75 to 79 degrees on the west side and 80 to 83 degrees on the east side, with a 20% chance of thunderstorms, according to the latest National Weather Service valley forecast.
Storm Chances Build Into The Evening
Wednesday night should be mostly cloudy, with isolated thunderstorms in the evening, then scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms after midnight. Lows are forecast at 61 to 64 degrees on the west side and 64 to 67 degrees on the east side, with a 50% chance of precipitation, according to the latest National Weather Service valley forecast.
Thursday Brings Cooler, Wetter Conditions
Thursday looks like the bigger weather swing, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms early, additional activity through the afternoon, and a high near 73 degrees. Southerly winds could gust 20 to 40 mph regionally, so outdoor plans may need a backup option even if the valley avoids the heaviest storms.
The greatest flash-flood and severe-storm concerns are expected across northwestern Arizona rather than central Las Vegas, but storms in the region could still bring lightning, sudden downpours and gusty winds. Drivers should avoid flooded roads and washes if storms move overhead.
The active Flash Flood Watch is limited to northern Mohave County, north of the Colorado River, from Wednesday morning through 5 p.m. Thursday—not the Las Vegas Valley. The NWS says repeated rounds of storms could cause flash flooding there; its forecast discussion also identifies northwestern Arizona for a risk of severe storms, including damaging winds, hail and a tornado or two. The NWS alert notice and local storm outlook distinguish that watch area from the valley, though conditions and alerts can change as storms develop.
This system differs from the storm that brought flooding to the region on Oct. 11: the National Weather Service describes the current storm as a closed low spinning off California, while the earlier event was tied to Tropical Storm Rachel’s remnants. During that earlier storm, the NWS reported peak rainfall measurements of 2.5 to more than 3 inches in parts of southeastern California, southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. This week’s greatest flash-flood concern is focused farther north and east, not central Las Vegas. The current NWS forecast discussion and its Oct. 11 discussion of Rachel detail the different systems and rainfall.
Sunshine Returns Friday
Conditions turn noticeably calmer Friday, with sunny skies and a high near 70 degrees. The weekend should bring drier, seasonable conditions, with seasonable weather continuing into early next week.
