This week’s rain in the Las Vegas Valley marked the end of the region’s second-longest dry spell in recorded history, but it’s unlikely to significantly impact the ongoing drought. The Harry Reid International Airport weather station recorded 0.01 inches of rain on Thursday morning, with totals exceeding half an inch by the evening. Despite this precipitation, nearly all of Clark County remains under “extreme” drought conditions, with parts experiencing “exceptional” drought. Over half of Nevada continues to face at least minimal drought conditions.
The recent storm and atmospheric river brought much-needed rain to southern California and Nevada, temporarily alleviating some drought impacts. However, the overall drought situation persists. Rain is expected to continue into Friday as the storm moves inland, but Las Vegas still faces significant water challenges.
Southern Nevadans, along with millions living in the Colorado River Basin, depend heavily on snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains for water. Snowpack levels in the Upper Colorado River Basin are currently 81 percent of the historical median. However, forecasts predict that water flow into Lake Powell will only reach 75 percent of the historical median, suggesting ongoing water scarcity issues.
While Las Vegas received rain, and snow is expected in the Spring Mountains, water conditions remain concerning. Snowpack levels in Southern Nevada are currently at zero percent of the historical median, indicating that the recent weather has not significantly eased the region’s water challenges.
