Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

First day of spring is wet, breezy in Las Vegas

Wind

Steve Marcus

Wind whips the hair of Meredith Supernavage, left, and Brie Abramowicz of Charlotte, N.C. as they take photos at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign on the first day of Spring Monday, March 21, 2011.

Don't put away those winter clothes just yet. Cloudy skies, rain showers and chilly temperatures are ushering in the first full day of spring today in the Las Vegas Valley.

There's a 70 percent chance of rain the rest of the morning, with showers most likely occurring before 11 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. The storm system will bring southwest winds of 14 to 17 mph, which will increase to 22 to 25 mph during the day. Wind gusts could reach as high as 36 mph.

Grey skies will prevent the sun from peeking through, causing today's high to top out around 60 degrees, forecasters said.

McCarran International Airport picked up 0.27 inches of rain through 7 a.m., when the temperature was 46 degrees. It was the first measurable rainfall at McCarran -- the city's official rain gauge -- since 0.02 inches fell on Feb. 20.

Breezy conditions will continue tonight as lows drop to the mid-40s, forecasters said.

But partly cloudy skies overnight will gave way to a sunny Tuesday, although highs only are expected to reach 61 degrees. Temperatures will begin edging up Wednesday to more spring-like weather with highs near 67 degrees, forecasters said.

The warmest start to spring occurred in 2004 when the mercury reached 92 degrees, setting the high temperature record for March, according to the National Weather Service. The lowest temperature recorded on this day was 26 degrees, set in 1955.

Winter is still going strong, however, in nearby mountains. A winter storm warning is in effect until 11 a.m. today for elevations above 6,000 feet in the Sheep Range, Spring Mountains, Red Rock Canyon and the town of Mount Charleston, the Weather Service reported.

Snowfall will taper off this morning, but those areas can expect to receive an additional 2 to 4 inches before the warning expires, forecasters said. Six to 12 inches of snow are possible at elevations between 6,000 and 8,000 feet.

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