Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Dust advisory issued ahead of windy Thursday in Las Vegas

Updated Wednesday, April 6, 2011 | 9:36 a.m.

Windy weather drifting into the region has prompted the county to issue a blowing dust advisory for Thursday.

Clark County's Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management issued the air quality advisory alerting residents and operators at construction sites of the possibility of blowing dust Thursday as a result of high winds.

Officials said they do not expect unhealthy levels of blowing dust to appear as the storm system moves through the region.

Before the windy weather hits the region, however, an umbrella may be necessary. There's a slight chance of showers today in the Las Vegas Valley, according to the National Weather Service.

A weak low pressure system will bring cloudy skies, cooler temperatures and a slight possibility of showers to the region today, mainly after 11 a.m., the weather service said.

The low pressure system will be followed by a cold and powerful storm dropping down along the West Coast, with strong winds ahead of the system across the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains and much of the Mohave Desert tonight through Thursday, forecasters said.

Another chance of rain, with dramatically cooler temperatures, will be in store for the entire region Friday and Saturday, they said.

The weather service has issued a high wind watch for much of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast California Thursday.

Southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to around 60 mph are possible, forecasters said. The strongest wings are expected late morning through early evening Thursday and are expected to diminish late Thursday evening, they said.

Strong winds will make travel difficult on many roads around the region, especially on the north/south roads where strong crosswinds will occur, forecasters said. Blowing dust may also reduce visibilities to less than a quarter of a mile near dry lake beds, they said.

Drivers of motorcycles, vans, campers , trailers and any high-profile vehicle planning to travel in the area should be alert to the winds, they said.

Friday’s weather is expected to be much cooler, with high temperatures running close to 20 degrees below normal. Friday’s afternoon high in Las Vegas is expected to reach only 54 degrees, which would set a new low maximum temperature for that date.

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