Las Vegas Valley under wind advisory; gusts may increase in late afternoon

The Las Vegas Valley and surrounding areas are under a wind advisory Monday until 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Winds that gusted up to 45 mph at each of the valley’s three airports and Red Rock National Conservation Area may get stronger between 3 and 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service expects patches of blowing dust, with southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. Drivers are advised to exercise caution.

“With this type of weather pattern, the gusts are usually strongest in the daylight hours,” meteorologist Chris Outler said. “The cold front is expected to move through the valley between midnight and 2 a.m., dropping the temperatures and shifting the winds to come from the north and northwest.”

Some sprinkles are a possibility, but only about 20 percent.

“We may see some or nothing,” Outler said.

At 4 p.m., wind gusts had diminished to about 30 mph at the valley’s three airports and around 40 mph at Nellis Air Force Base.

A ground stop was delaying flights about 30 minutes and departures were averaging 15 minutes late at Harry Reid International Airport because of the wind, according to a Federal Aviation Administration website. Delays had been averaging 75 minutes during the noon hour.

Valley temperatures will see a high of 80 degrees on Monday but are expected to drop to 55 with a chance of showers later Monday night, according to the weather service.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com.