News Summary
Las Vegas experienced significant flooding and flight delays due to heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Priscilla. The storm caused widespread disruptions, power outages, and notable rainfall records at Harry Reid International Airport, where the total fell just shy of the all-time one-day October record. Local events were also affected, reflecting the impact of the storm on the community. As the weather improves over the weekend, the potential for future thunderstorms remains a concern.
Las Vegas Faces Flooding and Flight Delays as Storms from Tropical Storm Priscilla Bring Heavy Rainfall
Las Vegas experienced significant disruptions on Friday due to severe storms brought by Tropical Storm Priscilla, which unleashed heavy rainfall across the region. The storm caused flooding on roadways, power outages, and substantial flight delays at Harry Reid International Airport.
The National Weather Service reported that the Las Vegas Valley received a staggering 0.92 inches of rain that day, marking October 10 as the fourth-wettest October day on record. Typically, October precipitation averages about one-third of an inch in Las Vegas, making this storm event exceptionally notable.
Harry Reid International Airport recorded a remarkable 0.92 inches of rain, eclipsing the previous record for this date of 0.16 inches set in 2012. This month, the airport has accumulated a total of 0.94 inches of rain, which is already surpassing the monthly average of 0.32 inches for October. Prior to Thursday, the last recorded rainfall was 0.13 inches on October 1.
Additional rainfall measurements from across the valley include:
- Centennial Hills, Summerlin, and Henderson: at least 0.04 inches
- Mount Charleston: 0.47 inches
- Silverado Ranch: 0.24 inches
- Las Vegas Wash at Las Vegas Boulevard: 0.47 inches
As a result of the inclement weather, various local events were disrupted or canceled. The Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival closed early due to lightning, while the Best Friends Forever music festival encountered delays of approximately 90 minutes. Additionally, many high school football games experienced delays on Friday night.
Flight operations at Harry Reid International Airport were severely impacted, with departing flights averaging delays of about one hour, while incoming flights were delayed for over 80 minutes.
The storm has also raised concerns for the surrounding regions, leading the National Weather Service to issue a Flood Watch for Mohave County, Lincoln County, parts of southeastern San Bernardino County, and the Spring Mountains, effective until Saturday evening. Wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph were reported in the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon until 8 p.m. on Friday.
Looking at the historical context, the all-time one-day rainfall record for October is 1.08 inches, established on October 12, 1947, while the monthly rainfall record for October stands at 1.45 inches, set in 2005. This year, Harry Reid International Airport has recorded a total of 3.27 inches of rain, compared to an average of 4.19 inches for a full calendar year.
As the region moves into the weekend, the weather forecast predicts a high of 86 degrees on Saturday, with a 20 percent chance of further thunderstorms. Sunday is expected to be sunny with a high near 77 degrees, although isolated showers may still be possible. Clear skies and sunshine are anticipated for the upcoming week, with minor chances for precipitation.
The ongoing weather events are a reminder of the often unpredictable nature of tropical storms and their potential impact even in areas like Las Vegas, which are not typically associated with heavy rainfall.
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Additional Resources
- KTNV – Active Weather Day as Storms Move Into the Las Vegas Valley
- Wikipedia: Weather in Las Vegas
- 8 News Now – Rainfall Rolls Into Las Vegas/Henderson Areas
- Google Search: Las Vegas weather
- Review Journal – Priscilla’s Remnants Continue to Threaten Las Vegas
- Google Scholar: Las Vegas weather flooding
- New York Times – Hurricane Priscilla US Rain Forecast
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Las Vegas flooding
- News 3 LV – Stormy Weather and Gusty Winds in Las Vegas
- Google News: Las Vegas flash floods
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