National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists issued a high wind watch for the Las Vegas area on Friday, warning residents of potential damage and widespread power outages as a storm moves into the area this weekend.
A late season winter storm will move into California on Friday night. More than 12 inches of snow are forecast for the high-elevation Sierra Nevada mountains this weekend, with possible locally higher amounts between 18 and 24 inches. Lower elevation areas, meanwhile, are expecting rain, with the heaviest precipitation occurring on Saturday. High winds are expected in advance of the storm, prompting meteorologists to issue high wind warnings and watches for eastern California, much of Nevada, western Utah and northwestern Arizona.
NWS meteorologist Barry Pierce told Newsweek that a difference in pressure is causing the wind.
"The system coming in is quite strong for this late in the season, for early May, so it's just a difference in presence, between that area of low, and high pressure off to the east," he said. "It's kicking off very strong south to southwest winds across southern Nevada."
In the Las Vegas area, southward winds will blow between 30 and 40 miles per hour, with gusts up to 60 mph possible. The winds are expected to begin Saturday morning and last through late Saturday night.
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"Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible," the NWS warning said on Friday. "Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Visibility could be reduced due to blowing dust. Hazardous boating conditions expected on area lakes."
Pierce said the winds will be strong enough to blow over trees or send trampolines flying. He added that blowing dust in the valleys is also a concern and that there will be a "significant impact" on boaters.
The strongest winds are expected at the White and Inyo Mountains, Lake Havasu and Fort Mohave, Northwest Deserts, Eastern Sierra Slopes, Owens Valley, Death Valley National Park, San Bernardino County-Upper Colorado River Valley, Esmeralda and Central Nye County, Lincoln County, and Sheep Range.
Strong winds also are expected at the Lake Mead National Recreational Area.
"Strong winds and rough waves on area lakes will create hazardous conditions for small craft," NWS Las Vegas warned.
In California, travel will become hazardous, and motorists may need to use chain controls. The heaviest snow is expected in Lassen Volcanic National Park, with 24 inches. The most rain is expected in Blue Canyon with 3 inches, with up to 2 inches of rain expected in Sims. Widespread amounts ranging from .25 inches to over an inch are expected throughout the region.
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Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more
