Rain, hail, snow reported in Southern Nevada; century mark in extended forecast

By John Taylor (contact)

Published Tuesday, May 7, 2013 | 1:05 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, May 7, 2013 | 3:47 p.m.

Rain showers and hail made an appearance Tuesday in the Las Vegas Valley, and Mount Charleston received a rare snowfall in May.

But look for sunny skies by the weekend and temperatures edging toward triple digits by next week, the National Weather Service said.

The National Weather Service reported shortly after noon Tuesday that showers were moving north across the northwest part of the valley from Summerlin to Centennial Hills.

There were isolated reports of small hail in the Centennial Hills area. Commenters on social media sites reported hail Tuesday afternoon in Summerlin and snowfall on Mount Charleston.

The scattered showers were part of a Pacific storm system moving across the Mojave Desert.

Tuesday afternoon’s forecast called for scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms continuing to develop across the valley. Forecasters said most of the precipitation would be light, although a few areas could see a heavier shower with rainfall totals exceeding a tenth of an inch. Wind gusts above 35 mph as well as small hail, the National Weather Service said, are possible with any stronger storm.

The eastern portion of the valley received rain Tuesday, the first measurable precipitation since April 8.

The chance for showers and a few thunderstorms will continue into Wednesday and Thursday for Las Vegas. Otherwise, NWS forecasters said, expect warmer conditions over the weekend. The NWS extended forecast said the first triple-digit high of the year was "very likely" next Tuesday.