Blustery winds expected for tonight’s football games

By Mary Manning

Published Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 | 8:02 a.m.

Updated Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 | 3:39 p.m.

Autumn officially kicks off on Monday, but tonight's weather in Las Vegas during football games and tailgate parties ranks above average, especially where temperatures are concerned.

Another factor will be winds, which could periodically gust between 20 to 25 mph, said meteorologist Chris Stachelski of the National Weather Service in Las Vegas.

The winds are blowing southwesterly, so depending on whether the ball is kicked into or with the winds, gusts could affect the football's trajectory, Stachelski said.

The high at 3 p.m., 94 degrees at McCarran International Airport where official weather records are set, is above normal for September, Stalcheski said. However the coolest day so far this month occurred on Sept. 1 when the high reached 92 degrees.

After the first half of the games, the winds may drop to around 15 mph and temperatures ranging from 87 degrees to 89 degrees at kickoff should cool to the low 80s.

Blustery conditions continue through Saturday and temperatures will stay above normal until Monday, when a high of 90 degrees is predicted. After that, Las Vegas warms up above normal once again, without any hint of rain.