Thursday, July 3, intense thunderstorms swept into the southwest Las Vegas Valley, triggering temporary flight groundings at Harry Reid International Airport and prompting a severe thunderstorm warning across Clark County.
The National Weather Service issued the alert warning of gusts up to 60 mph and hail the size of quarters. While there were multiple reports of hail, it turned out to be smaller than pea-sized in most areas. The strongest recorded wind gust peaked at 49 mph in North Las Vegas, slightly below initial warnings.
Rainfall totals varied across the valley, with the south side receiving the most significant accumulation. A rain gauge near Rainbow Boulevard and Cactus Avenue measured 0.63 inches (about 1.6 cm), while other stations, including one close to the South Point Hotel, recorded just over half an inch.
As the storm approached the airport, departures were briefly halted, causing delays that officials feared might continue. However, by Thursday night, operations were largely back on schedule, with most flights on time or experiencing only minimal delays.
The thunderstorm warning, which included much of central Clark County, officially expired at 4 p.m. However, its effects were already being felt by 3:15 p.m., when a storm system over Southern Highlands was spotted moving east at 15 mph.
The warning covered a wide area, impacting Henderson, Boulder City, Southern Highlands, Anthem, Lake Las Vegas, Mountains Edge, Green Valley, Enterprise, Sam Boyd Stadium, Paradise, Spring Valley, The Strip, East Las Vegas, Sloan, Railroad Pass, Seven Hills, Silverado Ranch, Harry Reid International Airport, Allegiant Stadium, and Black Mountain.
Late in the day, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue responded to a rescue call near Symphony Park in downtown Las Vegas, where two people were seen yelling for help from inside flood control channels. Rescue crews reached them safely just before 4 p.m. Both individuals were found in stable condition and did not require medical treatment, according to officials.
