A thunderstorm that swept through the Las Vegas Valley on Wednesday afternoon has dissipated, but forecasters warn that the respite from rain may be fleeting. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service (NWS) indicate that another wave of rain is on the horizon, expected to begin late Thursday and continue into Friday.
Wednesday’s storm, though brief, was intense, producing heavy rainfall, pea-sized hail, and lightning as it traveled through the central valley. By early evening, the storm had weakened significantly, and meteorologist Matt Woods reported that conditions were stabilizing, leading to dry weather for the remainder of Wednesday night and much of Thursday.
Looking ahead, a more organized weather system is predicted to bring light rain and scattered showers to the valley starting on Thursday night. Woods described the upcoming rain as widespread but noted that the chance of thunderstorms is low, with rainfall totals potentially reaching one-tenth to one-quarter of an inch by Friday morning, and possibly slightly higher in some areas during the afternoon.
With the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix scheduled for Saturday, race-night conditions are still expected to be mostly dry. However, Woods did mention a slight risk of light rain, estimating a 10% chance of scattered showers that could affect the event, depending on the positioning of the incoming weather system.
November has proven to be a notably wet month for Las Vegas, with recent storms pushing rainfall totals to 1.58 inches so far this month, making it one of the wettest Novembers on record. The average precipitation for November typically hovers around 0.3 inches, highlighting the significant surplus this year. The historical record for November rainfall in Las Vegas was set in 1965 with 2.22 inches.
Woods emphasized that the winter months—December through February—are generally the most reliable for measurable rain in Las Vegas, making this November’s deluge a notable event in the yearly weather patterns.
As the city experiences these unusual weather patterns, residents and visitors alike are reminded to remain cautious and prepared, especially with the forecasted rain this weekend that could impact outdoor events.