Torrential rainfall pounds Lake Mead’s north portion

More than 1.5 inches of rain poured over the course of an hour in the northernmost area of Lake Mead on Saturday night, and more storms could be coming, according to the National Weather Service.

A rain gauge in Overton recorded the amounts, which included a half-inch of rain that collected in only five minutes during the thunderstorm, weather service meterologist John Adair said. Wind gusts reached up to 58 mph.

Adair said no hail had been reported as of 7 p.m., and the current storm appeared to be losing steam. But more storms are forming over Coyote Springs and could move across the Moapa Valley toward Overton and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

“It’s really intense rainfall,” Adair said, adding that there were reports of downed tree limbs.

Saturday night’s storms also had the potential to affect the Las Vegas Valley, the weather service said. The service warned in a Saturday evening tweet of the potential of a sudden increase in wind in the east valley.

“The main threat would be brief heavy rain and lightning,” Adair said.

A severe thunderstorm and flash flood warning was in effect Saturday night near the Temple Bar Marina and the Lake Mead recreation area, according to the weather service.

A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms will linger over the Las Vegas Valley for the next five days, although the likelihood of rainfall could increase Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Sunday’s high is expected to be 106.