Storm brings rain, strong winds to Las Vegas region
A chill moved across Las Vegas late Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing lower temperatures and strong winds to the valley.
Five inches of snow fell Tuesday night on Mount Charleston, and trace amounts of rain were recorded at McCarran International Airport.
The National Weather Service said Wednesday's high was 59 degrees, which fell short of the record low high of 56 degrees set in 1998.
"This is definitely not your typical April day," said Barry Pierce, weather service meteorologist.
Flurries were spotted in parts of Summerlin and Henderson, while in other parts of Las Vegas, high winds took shingles off homes.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said ferocious winds might have caused damage to a plane Tuesday afternoon at the North Las Vegas Airport.
Gregor said the single-engine Cessna 182 was attempting to land about 2:17 p.m. when a gust hit the plane.
"The pilot told us he encountered a strong gust of wind just as he landed," Gregor said. "That caused him to break his right wing and propeller" after hitting the pavement.
Gregor said the crash was being investigated by his agency, and he did not know the full extent of the damage. He said the pilot was taken to a local hospital but did not appear to have any injuries.
According to the FAA Web site, the plane is registered to a John Battaglia of Las Vegas.
National Weather Service meteorologist Edan Lindaman said the wintery weather was caused by a powerful storm system that swept through the valley early in the week. Wind gusts reached 61 mph at Red Rock Canyon on Tuesday night.
The last time snow fell in Las Vegas in April was on April 4,1958, making Wednesday's activity the latest snow sighting recorded to date.
Lindaman said the unusual weather won't stick around.
Temperatures will return to the 70s and 80s by the weekend. It could reach 90 degrees by Tuesday, Lindaman said.