Storm watch issued, snow forecast New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day plans might need to be altered to include staying home, keeping warm and maybe participating in snowball fights for fun as the National Weather Service is almost certain there will be accumulated snow in the valley and the Mojave Desert.
“Confidence in a storm is high enough that we have issued a Winter Storm Watch for elevations above 2,000 feet from Tuesday night into New Year’s Day morning, ” the weather service said Sunday.
That confidence stems from the 30 to 60 percent chance of snowfall for Tuesday as well as the 90 percent chance into Wednesday night. There is a “slight chance” of snow for Thursday.
Though it’s too early to predict exactly how much snow will fall, the weather service warned travelers to prepare accordingly. Driving conditions, as well as slick sidewalks and walkways could be a potential problems.
Las Vegas valley “hilly roads” like the ones in Summerlin, Anthem and Seven hills could be difficult to drive on, the weather service warned.
Travellers heading to the valley on Interstate 15 from Southern California could face grim driving conditions that could be impassible in lower-elevation areas, including Mountain Pass and Halloran Summit. Travellers on Interstate 40, between Barstow and Ludlow were also asked to be cautious, the weather service said.
Drivers on U.S Highway 93, between Kingman and the Hoover Dam, could also face difficulties.
Weather conditions for Monday are expected to be sunny and clear with a high temperature of 45 degrees. Low temperatures through the beginning of the week are expected to dip into the low 30s and even lower into the high 20s until Thursday night, according to the weather service.
The mountains will get even colder.
Mount Charleston should expect to see between 8 to 16 inches of snow above 7,000 feet and 4 to 8 inches for the lower parts. Temperature lows are expected to dip to 11 and 9 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday. The highs will reach 22 and 21 degrees, meteorologist Chris Stachelski said.
Even if snow does not fall on New Year’s Eve, the firework shows could be affected by wind. The drier conditions are, the greater chance there is for gusty conditions, the weather service said Friday.
Winds are projected to blow between 7 and 14 mph, and gusts could reach 20 mph, Stachelski said Sunday.
Sunny conditions, the weather service said, are expected to return Friday when high temperatures should reach about 40 degrees.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Ricardo Torres at rtorres@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0381. Find him on Twitter: @rickytwrites