Las Vegas residents experienced a weather phenomenon on Thursday as rain finally graced the city, ending a 214-day dry spell. The showers, which began during the rush hour, were measured at Harry Reid International Airport, marking the end of one of the longest dry periods in the city's history. The National Weather Service reported 0.57 inches of rainfall, slightly more than half an inch, making this a notable event for the area accustomed to arid conditions.
The unexpected rain and accompanying winds caught many residents by surprise, including Alicia Hill, a rideshare driver and courier. Hill spent the day delivering an unusually high number of food orders as residents chose to stay indoors. She noted that everyone she spoke to was taken aback by the rain's arrival.
"Everybody I talked to was shocked to see it as I guess we stopped checking the forecasts a while ago," – Alicia Hill
Meteorologist Brian Planz highlighted the significance of the rain, noting its occurrence during the busy rush hour. This rare precipitation event came as a relief to many in Las Vegas, where typical February precipitation averages 0.8 inches. The previous rainfall recorded in the city was on July 13, 2024, making this the second time in 88 years that Las Vegas went over 200 days without measurable rain.
Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, expressed the local sentiment regarding the unexpected showers.
"Those folks are probably jumping for joy," – Tom Kines
The rain had been tracked for 7 to 10 days before it finally arrived, providing a much-needed reprieve from the extended dry spell. Hill remarked on the intensity of the rain during her deliveries.
"It felt like more. It didn’t seem like it was just a half inch, especially if you were out in it. We needed it for sure." – Alicia Hill
Looking ahead, Friday's forecast predicts a slight chance of additional showers with temperatures expected to hover in the 60s. Residents remain hopeful for more precipitation to maintain balance in their typically dry climate.
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