Las Vegas begins Thursday in the upper 70s under clear skies, but the quiet start is expected to give way to a stormy afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms could develop after 1 p.m., bringing gusty winds, lightning and pockets of heavy rain to parts of the valley. The forecast high is near 96°F before temperatures ease later in the day.
Storms Arrive After Lunch
The National Weather Service in Las Vegas puts the daytime rain chance at 50%, with the best odds from midafternoon into early evening. Southeast winds are expected at 5 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 22 mph, while the strongest storms could produce heavier bursts of rain, localized flooding and sudden wind shifts.
Lightning will be a concern wherever storms form, and hail cannot be ruled out. The storm threat should taper after sunset, although a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms remains before 8 p.m.; Thursday night will turn mostly cloudy with a low near 79°F.
Friday Eases Before The Heat Rebuilds
Friday brings a similar setup but less widespread, with a high near 94°F and a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Forecasters expect storm coverage and intensity to ease as drier air moves in, setting up a sunnier, quieter weekend.
Saturday should be sunny and 96°F, followed by mostly sunny skies and a high near 100°F Sunday. The heat then ramps up sharply: Monday is forecast to reach 105°F, with highs near 107°F Tuesday and Wednesday…