Las Vegas' first real cold storm of the year brings much cooler temperatures along with thunderstorms and snow over the next few days.
A very strong upper level low pressure system is pushing into southern California where it will pause for about a day. That pause will allow for the system to tap into some moisture just off the coast in the Pacific Ocean and bring it all the way into the Las Vegas valley.
Showers and thunderstorms will continue Sunday with some storms causing isolated flash flooding and could contain small hail and energy for some gusty winds. The Las Vegas valley will see the best chance for thunderstorms to come this afternoon with more widespread thunderstorms Monday.
Rainfall totals under some of the heavier rain showers could eclipse half an inch with some locations in the higher elevations and on the windward sides of mountains seeing more than an inch of rain. There is also the potential for some flash flooding.
Temperatures will noticeably drop as cold air comes in from the Gulf of Alaska. This cold air will allow temperatures Monday to stay in the mid 70s in the valley with some areas in the mountains barely breaking out of the 40s.
Snow is expected at the higher elevations and a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect through 6 a.m. on Tuesday above 8,500 feet because of it. 6-12 inches of snow are possible above 10,000 feet with trace to about an inch possible down to 8,500 feet and snow falling down to near 8,000 feet. The best chance for this snow is through the afternoon on Monday into Tuesday morning as the cold core of the storm moves directly overhead.
Watch for slippery roads at elevation tonight through Tuesday as there could be pockets of snow up on Mt. Charleston as early as Sunday night.
A group of campers tell Action News they saw hail at the top of the mountain Sunday.
"Out of nowhere like this huge wind gust just comes and starts hailing really hard, and my tent one of the poles actually snapped," said one man.
