Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Temperatures plunge into the 20s; snow in forecast

Updated Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 | 4:53 p.m.

A cold front gripping a large swath of the country caused temperatures in the Las Vegas Valley to plummet into the mid-20s overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

A hard-freeze warning remains in effect until Friday morning, prompting local officials to open warming stations across the valley to keep the homeless out of the frigid temperatures.

Communities on the outskirts of the valley, such as Anthem and Summerlin, saw the coldest temperatures, with overnight lows reaching the mid-20s, said Todd Lericos, a meteorologist for the weather service’s Las Vegas office. Lows in downtown and eastern Las Vegas hovered around 30 or 31 degrees, he said.

The temperature will gradually climb above freezing today to a high of 42 degrees at McCarran International Airport and the upper 30s in the western valley, Lericos said.

The pattern will repeat tonight. Temperatures will drop to 29 degrees overnight before warming up to a high of 44 degrees Friday, Lericos said.

The shiver-inducing temperatures — the coldest weather in Las Vegas since Feb. 25 — are courtesy of a large arctic air mass over Canada that dipped into the United States this week, Lericos said.

A second cold front moving into the region Saturday could bring snow, with the best chances of accumulation west and south of Las Vegas.

“I don’t think we’re looking at anything too drastic, but we have to be ready,” Lericos said.

Weather officials said preparation for the subfreezing temperatures and possible snow means keeping tabs on plants, pets and pipes.

To prevent pipes from freezing, run pool filters overnight to keep the water moving and insulate or cover any exposed pipes, Lericos said. And don’t leave pets outside for long periods of time.

“They’re not used to the cold living here in Vegas,” Lericos said.

Below is a list of warming stations that will be open today and Friday:

• The Salvation Army, 33 W. Owens Ave. in North Las Vegas, provides daytime shelter from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Black Mountain Recreation Center, 599 Greenway Road in Henderson, will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Cambridge Recreation Center, 3930 Cambridge St. in Las Vegas, will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• The Pearson Community Center, 1625 W. Carey Ave. in Las Vegas, will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• The Dula Gymnasium, 441 E. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas, will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.

• The Hollywood Recreation Center, 1650 S. Hollywood Boulevard in Las Vegas, will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• The Islamic Society of Nevada, 4730 E. Desert Inn Road in Las Vegas, will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• The Stupak Community Center, 251 W. Boston Ave. in Las Vegas, will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• The Valley View Recreation Center, 500 Harris St. in Henderson, will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• The Walnut Recreation Center, 3075 N. Walnut Ave. in Las Vegas, will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Overnight shelter will be available at:

• Catholic Charities, 1511 N. Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas, for men.

• The Salvation Army, 33 W. Owens Ave. in North Las Vegas, for men and women.

• The Shade Tree, 1 W. Owens Ave. in North Las Vegas, for women and children.

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