Las Vegas is trading in its flirtation with triple digits for a full-on wind show this weekend, as a High Wind Watch takes aim at the valley and temperatures tumble from near 100°F into the 80s and 70s. Forecasters say strong northwest gusts could snarl travel, kick up dust and knock down trees across the region.
What the National Weather Service Says
The High Wind Watch blankets much of southern Nevada along with parts of southeast California and northwest Arizona, and is in effect from 11:00 a.m. Sunday, May 17, through 5:00 a.m. Monday, May 18, according to the National Weather Service Las Vegas. The agency is calling for northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts possibly reaching 50 to 60 mph, and warns those stronger blasts could take down trees and power lines.
Local Response and Air Quality
Local agencies are already gearing up. NV Energy says it is “carefully monitoring weather conditions” and has crews on standby, while the Clark County Division of Air Quality is cautioning residents about elevated blowing dust on Saturday and Sunday, according to KTNV…