Flash flood watch in effect for weekend

By Mary Manning

Published Friday, Aug. 29, 2008 | 6:48 a.m.

Updated Friday, Aug. 29, 2008 | 4:41 p.m.

A flash flood watch has been issued for the Las Vegas Valley, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Lincoln County from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening, the National Weather Service said.

A flash flood watch means that thunderstorms could produce rainfall that leads to flash flooding. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to produce locally heavy rains in some areas, forecasters said.

Today's temperature will climb into the mid to high 100s, but drastic changes in Southern Nevada's weather are expected through Labor Day.

Breezy to windy conditions, clouds and possible thunderstorms are on tap from Saturday afternoon through Monday for the three-day weekend, forecasters said.

Thursday's high of 107 degrees didn't reach excessive heat warning status, but Death Valley hit 122 degrees for the day.

Las Vegas set a new high minimum temperature of 83 degrees Thursday. The old record for Aug. 28 was 82 degrees in 2005, said Brian Fuis, a weather service forecaster.

Meteorologists are watching winds that could blow white caps on Lake Mead this weekend as the southwestern monsoon works its way back into the area, Fuis said. There's a chance of isolated to scattered thunderstorms through Sunday.

For those who wish to cool off, this weekend will offer high temperatures in the 90s. By Monday the thermometer is expected to drop up to 15 degrees, so highs will range from the high 80s to low 90s.

After Monday, warmer temperatures and calmer conditions are expected as residents return to work and to school.