Crossing guard Lois Kern waits for schoolchildren under an umbrella at Mountain View Park in Henderson, April 8, 2013. The National Weather Service reported that high winds and showers are expected later this week.
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 | 2 a.m.
The first significant rainfall in three months could arrive this weekend, making for a wet beginning to March.
The first storm system is expected to roll into the region Wednesday afternoon, bringing high winds, cooler temperatures and possible light precipitation, according to the National Weather Service. Gusts could reach 35 mph Thursday in parts of the Las Vegas Valley, with high temperatures topping out at 69 degrees — which is still several degrees higher than the normal temperature for this time of year.
The wetter weather will start Friday night and continue Saturday, dousing the valley with a quarter- to half-inch of rain, said Barry Pierce, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Las Vegas office. Friday’s high temperature of 68 degrees will drop to 62 degrees Saturday.
Rainfall should gradually lessen throughout the day Saturday.
“It’s not going to be a total washout,” Pierce said.
Even so, meteorologists expect the storm system to produce the most measurable rainfall since Dec. 5. The drier-than-average winter could mean slicker driving conditions when the rain hits oil built up on the roadways, Pierce said.
Up to a foot of snow could also fall in the Spring Mountains, providing a needed dose of water for high-altitude vegetation and fresh powder for the ski resorts, Pierce said.
Sunday is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 63 degrees.
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