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Rare snow blankets Las Vegas, black ice forces road closures, Nevada

las-vegas-snow-black-ice-february-2019

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.

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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