Wintry conditions throw LV Valley for a loop
A storm that dumped several more inches of snow on parts of the Las Vegas Valley and prompted the closures of major highways and schools was clearing out Thursday night, but forecasters and state officials warned that icy roads could be a problem overnight and early Friday.
Clark County’s public schools will be closed Friday because of the weather, the school district announced.
In addition to a call to parents, the Clark County School District sent an email at about 5:35 p.m. Thursday announcing the closure. Friday’s after-school activities, including athletics and the Safekey program, also are canceled.
The cancellation is “due to reports of potential freezing conditions” that would make the roads unsafe for school buses in the morning. “The school day will need to be made up this school year,” the district said.
Southbound Interstate 15 near Primm was closed Thursday night because of snow and ice in Southern California, the Nevada Department of Transportation tweeted at about 9:30 p.m. Drivers were told to expect
delays.
Earlier Thursday, valley residents braved the cold temperatures and snow to enjoy the rare occurrence.
Josh Perkins embraced the elements by taking a run through heavy snow on West Centennial Parkway. “It’s awesome out here,” said Perkins, who sported a long-sleeve shirt and neon yellow shorts over running tights.
The official snow fall total during the storm — measured at the National Weather Service’s station at Mccarran International Airport — was 0.8 inches, meteorologist Andy Gorelow said Thursday night.
The weather service has never measured snow at the airport on Wednesday and Thursday’s dates, Gorelow said. About 0.5 inches fell Wednesday, and 0.3 inches fell Thursday.
So far the weather service has measured five days in February with at least trace amounts of snow at the airport, Gorelow said. That ties the record — set in 1949 — for the most days snow has fallen in February.
The most snow that the weather service has recorded falling at Mccarran in February was 4.1 inches in 1939, he said.
Nellis Air Force Base announced that nonessential personnel should report late to work Friday, spokeswoman Rebekah Mattes said. Nonessential personnel at the base and the Nevada Test and Training Range should report to work at 10 a.m. Creech Air Force Base nonessential personnel should report at 10:45 a.m.
All mission-essential personnel should report for duty as scheduled, Mattes said.
Depending on how fast roads dry Thursday after the ice and snow melts, the region could see black ice form on roads overnight, mainly in the western valley and on I-15 overpasses and bridges, according to meteorologist Alexander Boothe.
Gorelow said that as a result of snow and rain showers the valley saw around 3 p.m. Thursday, the roads could still be wet and icy Friday morning, particularly in the west and south areas of the valley.
“The showers came through late in the afternoon and wet all the streets,” Gorelow said. “It didn’t really have time to dry. Whatever’s wet out there
has a potential of freezing overnight.”
Echoing the weather service’s concerns, the state Department of Transportation issued a black ice motorist driving advisory for all of Clark County, recommending that drivers slow down and budget extra time for travel. If they encounter black ice, the department says, motorists should remain calm and avoid overreacting.
“A general rule is to do as little as possible,” the department said in a news release. “Rather, allow the car to pass over the ice. Do not abruptly hit the brakes. In addition, try to keep the steering wheel straight. If the vehicle starts to fishtail, with the rear end sliding left or right, make a very gentle turn into the same direction. Drivers risk skidding or spinning out by struggling against it or by abruptly steering in the opposite direction.”
Storm impact
Other effects from the storm were flight delays averaging more than two hours early Thursday at Mccarran International Airport.
Airport spokeswoman Christine Crews said in an email Thursday evening that no flights were diverted, and runway conditions were good throughout Wednesday night and Thursday.
According to the website Flight Aware, nearly 331 flights at Mccarran were canceled Thursday: about 173 departures and 158 arrivals. About 296 flights were delayed Thursday: 148 departures and 148 arrivals, the website said.
Meanwhile, at the height of the storm, visibility on valley roads was limited and traffic was heavy in many areas, according to the Highway Patrol.
The agency had investigated 66