Nevada, 2021

Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Nevada, July 11 to 15, 2021

July 11 to 15, 2021 · NWS VEF · 18 events in 4 counties and zones

Monsoon moisture slowly seeped into the region under the big dome of high pressure which was causing record-breaking temperatures, fueling isolated to scattered thunderstorms. As the moisture increased, the main thunderstorm impact transitioned from high winds to flash flooding.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$219,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
18

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS VEF wrote it up.

Monsoon moisture slowly seeped into the region under the big dome of high pressure which was causing record-breaking temperatures, fueling isolated to scattered thunderstorms. As the moisture increased, the main thunderstorm impact transitioned from high winds to flash flooding.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Las Vegas, NV wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 11, 12:42 PM PST, 3 hours 33 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 11, 12:42 PM PST, 3 hours 33 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
142 PM PDT Sun Jul 11 2021

.SYNOPSIS...Major heat wave will persist a couple more days before
temperatures gradually ease through the week. Isolated storms
forming over the high terrain will again be possible today, with
coverage increasing Monday through Wednesday as deeper moisture
moves into the region. Conditions will dry out by late in the week
with typical mid-summer heat continuing.

&&

.SHORT TERM...Through Tuesday.

Heat through Tuesday: Dangerously hot temperatures will persist
across the entire area through Monday. As we look into Tuesday, two
factors look to be limiting the HeatRisk values across southeast
Nevada, northwest Arizona and eastern San Bernardino County. The
first is the additional injection of monsoon moisture into those
area while the second is likely rain cooled air from the passage of
showers and thunderstorms through the area Monday evening into
Tuesday morning. With that said, the previous shift did extend the
Excessive Heat Warning out through Tuesday evening for Nye,
Esmeralda, Inyo and northwest San Bernardino County. Does not look
like any spots will need to be extended into Wednesday, Thank
Goodness.

Storm chances through Tuesday: Outflow winds from last nights
complex of storms over south central Arizona did push the monsoon
moisture boundary further north and west into southern Nevada and
eastern California today. This moisture in poised to push further
northward into south central Nevada Monday before retreating back
southward to areas generally along and southeast of I-15 Tuesday. As
the area remains situated under the high center itself there are no
defined features that really stand out in helping support organized
convection. Therefore, convective initiation will occur over the
higher terrain with outflow winds (cool pools) pushing development
into the valleys during the late afternoon and evening hours.
Convective allowing models sending a mixed message regarding storm
chances for Clark County this evening. HRRR and HRW FV3 both show an
area of storms moving south out of Lincoln County and through Clark
County this evening. The 3 other members that make up the HREF
indicate a lower probabilities of this scenario occuring. Did blend in
the camPoPs to expand coverage of storms this evening to account for
the possibility. It looks like a very similar scenario on Monday and
Tuesday with storms moving from northwest to southeast out of south
central Nevada through Clark County and the Lake Mead NRA during the
evening and potentially lasting well into Tuesday morning and
Wednesday morning through the lower Colorado River Valley and Mohave
County. Gusty winds and locally heavy rain will be the primary
concern with any storms that move into the deeper monsoon moisture
across Clark, Mohave and eastern San Bernardino Counties the next
few days. Further north across central Nevada where moisture values
are not as great gusty winds and isolated dry lighting will be the
primary concern.

.LONG TERM...Wednesday through next Sunday.

Heat will gradually moderate through the long term period and there
should be no need for additional heat headlines.

Meanwhile, Wednesday will continue to see elevated monsoonal
moisture, with best storm chances favoring southern Nevada and
Northwest Arizona. Locally heavy rainfall and gusty thunderstorm
winds will be the main concerns through this period, though details
in storm coverage and intensity remains a little unclear. Moisture
appears fairly abundant, but forcing will be limited to daytime
heating and terrain influences. By Thursday, high pressure ridge
will flatten out with a more westerly flow kicking in aloft. This
will tend to shift the deeper moisture eastward and focus any
remaining storm chances into Northwest Arizona. The forecast
thereafter remains fairly dry until the Four Corners high rebuilds
sometime over the weekend or early next week.
&&

.CLIMATE...Listed below are a few climate locations showing both the
record high maximum and high minimum temperature for each location and
the year the record was last set for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

LOCATION            SUN-JULY 11       MON-JULY 12
(HIGH MAX)          Record(year)      Record(year)

Las Vegas NV          116(1959)         114(2003)
Bishop CA             107(2020)         108(2020)
Barstow CA            115(2003)         115(2020)
Needles CA            120(2020)         124(1925)
Kingman AZ            110(1961)         111(2020)
Desert Rock NV        110(2012)         111(2020)
Death Valley CA       129(1913)         130(1913)

LOCATION             SUN-JULY 11       MON-JULY 12
(HIGH MIN)           Record(year)      Record(year)

Las Vegas NV           91(2012)         94(2020)
Bishop CA              70(2013)         69(1990)
Barstow CA             85(2002)         87(2012)
Needles CA             94(2012)         92(2019)
Kingman AZ             81(1906)         83(1925)
Desert Rock NV         81(1996)         81(2003)
Death Valley CA       105(1920)        107(2012)
&&

.AVIATION...For McCarran...An easterly wind will continue
into the early evening hours. Forecast becomes much more complicated
this evening between 03Z-06Z. There is the potential of storms
moving north to south across the valley. Initial push of winds looks
to come from the northeast but once storms enter the valley just
covered the period with variable winds 20 kts gusts to 30 kts.
Expecting southerly winds overnight into Monday morning. Can't be
too specific in the details but it looks like a very similar
situation could occur Monday evening.

Extreme temperatures are expected again today and Monday, with
temperatures reaching 100 degrees each morning by 9-10 AM and
falling below in the 12-2 AM time frame. High temperatures will be
near 116 today and 112 on Monday.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona, and southeast
California...Isolated thunderstorms possible across southeast
California, southern Nevada and northwest Arizona this evening.
Gusty surface winds primary concern for general aviation. Similar
conditions expect for Monday with storms developing over the higher
terrain then moving into the lower valleys in the late afternoon and
evening hours. Potential of gusty winds and locally heavy rain.
&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report
any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating
procedures.
&&

SHORT TERM/AVIATION...Pierce
LONG TERM...Outler

For more forecast information...see us on our webpage:
https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter

The radar

The Las Vegas radar (KESX), 236 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:17 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 thunderstorm wind, 4 flash flood, 1 lightning, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Nye

When
July 11, 4:15 PM PST to 4:30 PM PST
Where
Nye County, 20.45 mi SW of Gold Reed
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
37.345, -116.569

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When
July 11, 6:50 PM PST
Where
Lincoln County, 11.04 mi SW of Elgin
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
37.250, -114.707

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When
July 11, 8:45 PM PST to 8:50 PM PST
Where
Clark County, 1.66 mi NNE of Logandale
Measured
48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
36.620, -114.484

Thunderstorm winds blew down multiple trees.

Flash Flood, Clark

When
July 11, 8:57 PM PST to 10:30 PM PST
Where
Clark County, 5.6 mi W of Valley of Fire to 5.33 mi W of Valley of Fire
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
36.426, -114.621

Valley of Fire Highway flooded just west of the park.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When
July 11, 11:15 PM PST
Where
Clark County, 1.63 mi SSE of Boulder City Arpt
Measured
57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
35.947, -114.861

Thunderstorm Wind, Nye

When
July 12, 5:45 PM PST
Where
Nye County, 13.08 mi N of (Ucc)yucca Flats
Measured
53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
37.186, -116.044

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When
July 12, 7:41 PM PST to 8:15 PM PST
Where
Lincoln County, 11.04 mi SW of Elgin
Measured
67 kt (77 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
37.250, -114.707

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When
July 12, 8:51 PM PST
Where
Clark County, 1.24 mi W of Arrowhead
Measured
51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
36.673, -114.592

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When
July 12, 9:15 PM PST to 10:22 PM PST
Where
Clark County, 1.01 mi SE of Wann to 2.56 mi SSW of (Las)mccarran/Las Ve
Measured
51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Utility Company
Coordinates
36.220, -115.107

Tree limbs were damaged just east of the Strip, and 7500 customers lost power in North Las Vegas.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When
July 12, 9:38 PM PST
Where
Clark County, 7.39 mi ENE of Boulder City
Measured
51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
36.014, -114.745

Lightning, Clark

When
July 12, 10:00 PM PST
Where
Clark County, 1.09 mi E of Las Vegas
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
36.172, -115.130

Lightning struck a tree, snapping it and throwing the top into power lines.

Flash Flood, Clark

When
July 12, 11:30 PM PST to July 13, 12:30 AM PST
Where
Clark County, 1.02 mi NE of Callville Bay to 0.76 mi NE of Callville Bay
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
Park/Forest Service
Coordinates
36.139, -114.716

Flash flooding left a few feet of debris over the access road, damaged the headwalk from the shore to the docks, and damaged the sewage lift station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When
July 13, 6:00 PM PST to 6:40 PM PST
Where
Lincoln County, 10.53 mi W of Alamo
Measured
58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
37.344, -115.359

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When
July 13, 7:09 PM PST to 7:24 PM PST
Where
Clark County, 2.74 mi E of Arrowhead
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
36.670, -114.521

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When
July 13, 7:41 PM PST
Where
Clark County, 1.67 mi SW of Mesquite
Measured
43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
36.783, -114.101

Thunderstorm winds blew a tree into a road.

Flash Flood, Clark

When
July 14, 8:00 PM PST to 10:00 PM PST
Where
Clark County, 16.46 mi WNW of Moapa to 16.32 mi WNW of Moapa
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.792, -114.885

Highway 168 was closed from Interstate 15 to Highway 93 due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Lincoln

When
July 14, 8:17 PM PST to 10:30 PM PST
Where
Lincoln County, 14.44 mi SSE of Alamo to 15.14 mi SSE of Alamo
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.190, -115.037

Major flash flooding along a section of Highway 93 locally known as The Narrows closed the highway from Interstate 15 to Caliente for a day and a half so several feet of dirt could be cleared from the highway.

Strong Wind, Esmeralda/Central Nye

When
July 15, 4:39 PM PST to 4:44 PM PST
Where
Esmeralda/Central Nye forecast zone
Measured
43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.914, -117.052 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Landspout. Location: 37.690N 117.190W. A landspout was photographed in open desert east of Highway 95 south of Goldfield. The location and duration are estimated, and no damage occurred.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Strong Wind
Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Nevada in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Nevada, July 2021

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 974611, 974613, 974615, 974616, 974617, 974618, 974619, 974622, 974623, 974626, 974629, 974632, 974635, 974637, 974639, 974642, 974645, 974651.