Rare snow blankets Las Vegas, black ice forces road closures, Nevada
After heavy rain and widespread flooding across the Las Vegas Valley on February 14, the region was hit by a snow-dumping winter storm on Sunday, February 17, 2019. Authorities are reporting black ice on the roads early Monday morning, closing some of them and urging drivers to pay extra attention. Numerous car crashes were reported today, including one fatal.
Up to 5 cm (2 inches) of snow accumulated on Las Vegas' western areas, causing traffic issues throughout the area. The last time the city saw measurable snow was in December 2008 (9.1 cm / 3.6 inches).
Las Vegas also reported a trace of snow of February 10, 2019, TWC reports.
McCarran International Airport has seen snow on two or more days in February only seven times, according to the NWS.
The last time the airport had snow on multiple days in February was 1987. Snow was once reported on as many as five days in February 1949. Other years with snow on multiple days in February include 1939, 1955, 1960, 1979 and 1985.
WOW! Thanks to Josh Williams with Williams Imagery for sharing this drone video of the snow in the southwest Las Vegas valley! pic.twitter.com/c8DO3l3PNv
— KSNV News 3 (@News3LV) February 18, 2019
@NWSVegas South side of Yucca Valley, covered in snow from last night! pic.twitter.com/G3wRPPAVcr
— Zazzmatazz (@Zazzmatazz1) February 18, 2019
It’s snowing in Vegas #vegassnow pic.twitter.com/TCrO7haBr5
— Cbesse (@_Cbesse) February 18, 2019
The Scenic Drive is closed currently due to unsafe conditions this morning. Gorgeous, but unsafe. pic.twitter.com/sW5irstTn7
— Red Rock Canyon LV (@RedRockCynLV) February 18, 2019
OMG LOOK AT THIS SNOW IN LAS VEGAS #LasVegas#vegassnow @Wetnwildlv pic.twitter.com/xcwZd62lKg
— Daily Hourly (@dailyhourly) February 18, 2019
WOW!!! Big thanks to Michael Bringhurst who sent @FOX5Vegas video of SNOW at the @Bellagio Fountains!! #VegasSnow pic.twitter.com/CMtFDSzN1n
— Alyssa Deitsch (@alyssadeitsch) February 18, 2019
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
10PM Tonight – 4AM MON
#LasVegasValley & much of #ClarkCounty
Snow Accumulations 0.5-2"
Slick, slushy roadways will make travel hazardous. Drive with caution!#VegasWeather #nvwx pic.twitter.com/SBl2n2s4iU— NWS Las Vegas (@NWSVegas) February 18, 2019
Snow day! @KellyNews3LV pic.twitter.com/sBPEh0VBJa
— SpringMountainRanch (@SpringMntRanch) February 18, 2019
Rare snow last night in Las Vegas set Social Media users "aTwitter" as they posted videos like these with the hashtag #vegassnow pic.twitter.com/JkANQfPHyw
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) February 18, 2019
Interstate-15 between Stateline and St. Rose Parkway was closed for traffic in both directions as well as Las Vegas Boulevard near I-15 early Monday, February 18.
The interstate closure was extended from St. Rose Parkway to Primm on the California border, NHP Southern Command reported early Monday morning. "Traffic is still being diverted on to Las Vegas Boulevard. Expect major delays and avoid the area," it added.
Nevada was hit by heavy rain on February 14, 2019, resulting in widespread flooding across the Las Vegas valley and above average freeway crashes.
Weather station at McCarran International Airport, official climate site for Las Vegas, registered 28.1 mm (1.11 inches) of rainfall in 24 hours of February 14, breaking the previous daily record of 18.7 mm (0.74 inches). This is the 20th highest 24-hour rainfall total for the city.
Clark County Fire Department responded to 4 swift water rescues throughout the day.
Featured image credit: Josh Williams/Williams Imagery
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