‘Cloud of dust’ blankets Henderson, east Las Vegas; storms on horizon

A plume of dust from Arizona monsoon storms drifted over Henderson and eastern Las Vegas on Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Sam Meltzer, a meteorologist with the NWS Las Vegas bureau, described the phenomenon as a “cloud of particulate originating from monsoon storms.” He said it arrived by mid‑afternoon, affecting Henderson, Boulder City and neighborhoods on the east side of the valley. Hazy skies lingered in those areas into early evening, but Meltzer characterized the “dust event” as mild enough that no dust‑storm advisory or air‑quality alert was issued. The dust originated from an “outflow boundary” generated by monsoon thunderstorms in the Tucson area. The boundary moved north overnight and reached parts of Southern Nevada on Friday. Looking ahead, monsoonal moisture is expected to increase storm chances across Southern Nevada. By Sunday there is a 20 percent probability of storms in the Spring Mountains, rising to 40 percent for Monday across the valley. The summertime monsoon season in Southern Nevada typically runs from late June through September. Las Vegas has been enduring a July heat wave this week. Harry Reid International Airport recorded a high of 111 degrees on Thursday, the hottest reading of the year. Friday’s temperature reached 110 degrees, with Saturday forecast at 110 and Sunday at 109. The average mid‑July high is 105 degrees. In response to the extreme heat, Clark County has activated cooling stations at community centers, libraries and other buildings throughout the valley, operating through Sunday. Hours vary by site, and locations include Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson. The stations are open to anyone seeking relief from the heat; additional information is available at helphopehome.org/get-help/. **Weather facts** — On June 23, Reid recorded 0.02 inches of rain, breaking a rainless streak of 124 days. It was the sole rainfall for the month. — Last month was the seventh‑warmest June on record, with an average temperature of 91.1 degrees, the NWS said. It marked the first June since June 2022 that did not reach 110 degrees or higher. — Las Vegas hit 100 degrees for the first time this year on May 8. — The airport reached 98 degrees on March 25, the hottest March day ever recorded in Las Vegas. The valley experienced eight consecutive days of record‑breaking heat that month, making it the hottest March in history.