Flash Flooding and Hail in Nevada, September 1 to 2, 2023

Name: Flash Flooding and Hail in Nevada, September 1 to 2, 2023
Start: 2023-09-01T06:00
End: 2023-09-02T19:00
Location: Nevada

September 1 to 2, 2023 · NWS VEF · 18 events in 2 counties and zones

A push of monsoon moisture, which began in August, fueled thunderstorms over the Mojave Desert. Several produced flash flooding, and one produced hail.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 2
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $674,000
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.

A push of monsoon moisture, which began in August, fueled thunderstorms over the Mojave Desert. Several produced flash flooding, and one produced hail.

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 Sep 1, 12:42 AM PST, 5 hours 18 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 1, 12:42 AM PST, 5 hours 18 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
142 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2023

.SYNOPSIS...Low pressure to our west will pull monsoon moisture
into our area today and Saturday with moisture lingering into
Sunday. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected today and
Saturday across Mohave, Clark, and Lincoln counties where storms
will pose an increased flash flood threat as well as a marginal
severe wind threat. Gusty winds associated with the low pressure
system will lead to gusts up to 50 mph across much of Inyo, Nye,
and Esmeralda counties today and up to 40 mph on Saturday. High
temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees below normal over the next 7
days with dry weather expected on Labor Day and for much of next
week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Friday through Sunday.

Active weather is forecast today through Sunday with shower and
thunderstorm coverage expanding across the eastern half of our
area. Scattered to numerous storms are forecast across eastern
San Bernardino, Clark, Lincoln, and Mohave counties today and
Saturday with coverage more localized to Lincoln and northern
Mohave counties on Sunday. Moisture pooled to our south is pulled
north into our area today by a low pressure system to our west.
Based on the RAP forecast, higher precipitable water values surge
northward later this morning reaching 1-1.50 inches across Lincoln
County and 1.50-2+ inches across the other county areas listed
earlier. Storms that develop in this high moisture environment
will likely produce high rain rates and excessive rainfall
amounts, resulting in an increasing chance for flash flooding. A
Flash Flood Watch is in effect today for southern Nye, Clark,
Lincoln, and Mohave counties including the Colorado River Valley.
The Thursday afternoon sounding in Las Vegas had 1.16 inch PWATs
primarily from moisture residing in the mid levels but forecast
soundings for today show deep layer moistening of the low-mid
level atmospheric profile with PWATs increasing to 1.50 to 1.75
inches in Las Vegas, indicative of what the RAP is forecasting.
Strong winds are another concern for today as they are expected to
develop later this morning across Inyo, Esmeralda, and Nye
counties. A Wind Advisory is in place for these areas where
southerly gusts up to 50 mph are expected. There will also be a
noticable decrease in high temperatures today with afternoon highs
around 10 degrees cooler than Thursday.

The Labor Day Weekend begins with higher moisture in place across
our eastern areas where a Flood Watch remains in effect through
Saturday evening. The low pressure system west of the area will
continue to add upper level support for more organized convection
on Saturday. Higher rain rate and excessive rainfall amounts will
result in an increased possibility of flash flooding across the
watch area.

The flash flood threat is mitigated or lower on Sunday as the low
pressure system moves east and begins to scour out the moisture,
bringing drier air to our southern areas and focusing storm
activity across Lincoln and northern Mohave Counties. In addition,
higher precipitation chances continue in the mountains of Clark
County on Sunday but overall, less moisture is expected to lead to
less intense rainfall rates.

Temperatures over the Labor Day Weekend are expected to be around
10 degrees below normal each day. Conditions dry out on Monday
with only a few isolated showers or storms indicated in northern
and eastern Mohave County. Dry weather and more pleasant conditions
are forecast Tuesday through Thursday with high temperatures
around 5 degrees below normal.

&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...Very active weather is expected today.
In the pre-dawn hours, a push of strong southeasterly winds from
distant thunderstorms will be possible. This could be accompanied by
showers and perhaps a thunderstorm. After a short break,
thunderstorm chances near the terminal are expected to begin around
noon and continue through the evening and possibly into the night.
The main threats with storms will be erratic, gusty winds, heavy
rain, and low ceilings with terrain obscuration. Another active day
is likely on Saturday.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...Stormy conditions can be expected for much of the
region today, with thunderstorm chances spreading from southeast to
northwest through the day. The main threats with storms will be
erratic, gusty winds, heavy rain, and low ceilings with terrain
obscuration. Thunderstorm chances will begin to decrease from the
west on Saturday, but another active day is likely for northwest
Arizona, southeast Nevada, and extreme southeast California.

&&

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

In the hours before

Local storm report, Sep 1, 12:46 AM PST, 5 hours 14 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
146 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0111 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     5 E New Kingman-Butler  35.26N 113.93W
09/01/2023  M62 MPH          Mohave             AZ   ASOS

            Winds of 58 mph or more lasted from
            0109-0122 MST.

&&

Morgan

Local storm report, Sep 1, 1:08 AM PST, 4 hours 52 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
208 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0130 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     9 W Golden Valley       35.23N 114.38W
09/01/2023  M59 MPH          Mohave             AZ   Mesonet

            Time of occurrence estimated from radar and
            lightning data.

&&

Morgan

Local storm report, Sep 1, 4:22 AM PST, 1 hour 38 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
522 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0406 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     4 S Nipton              35.41N 115.26W
09/01/2023  M66 MPH          San Bernardino     CA   Mesonet

            High winds lasted from 0406 to 0506.

0245 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 NW Meadview           36.01N 114.08W
09/01/2023  M61 MPH          Mohave             AZ   Mesonet

0355 AM     Flash Flood      1 NW Golden Valley      35.24N 114.24W
09/01/2023                   Mohave             AZ   County Official

            Legend Ranch Road was closed from Highway 93
            to Burro Drive.

0400 AM     Flash Flood      5 SSW Golden Valley     35.16N 114.24W
09/01/2023                   Mohave             AZ   County Official

            Chino Dr was closed from Milky Way Rd to
            Estrella Rd, Egar Rd was closed from Agua
            Fria Dr to Chinle Dr, and Shinarump Dr was
            closed from Garnet Rd to Aztec Rd. Reports
            came in between 0400 and 0500.

0510 AM     Flash Flood      14 NW Valentine         35.52N 113.86W
09/01/2023                   Mohave             AZ   County Official

            Antares Road was closed from Pierce Ferry
            Road to California Drive.

&&

Morgan

Local storm report, Sep 1, 5:33 AM PST, 27 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
633 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0628 AM     Flash Flood      10 WNW Needles          34.91N 114.77W
09/01/2023                   San Bernardino     CA   Law Enforcement

            About a foot of water across Highway 95 at
            mile marker 60.

&&

Morgan

The radar

The Las Vegas radar (KESX), 80 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

15 flash flood, 2 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 1, 6:00 AM PST to 7:00 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 11.22 mi NW of Las Vegas N Air Term to 3.54 mi N of Dike Siding
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.311, -115.367

Multiple rounds of rain produced flooding throughout the day. A sinkhole near Jones and Flamingo exposed a gas pipeline. Numerous streets were flooded and closed, and many cars were stuck in flood waters around the valley. Heavy rain caved in the roof of a small business and water poured in. One person was found dead in a detention basin.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 1, 10:30 AM PST to 12:00 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 2.81 mi SE of Crystal to 3.04 mi SE of Crystal
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 36.467, -114.740

Valley of Fire Highway was flooded and impassable.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 1, 11:36 AM PST to 1:00 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 1.73 mi NW of Mead Lake to 1.64 mi NW of Mead Lake
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.536, -114.444

Moapa Valley Blvd was flooded and closed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When: September 1, 1:45 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 3.35 mi W of Arden
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.012, -115.289

Thunderstorm winds blew down a large tree.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When: September 1, 2:12 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 2.96 mi NW of Arden
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 36.050, -115.268

Hail, Clark

When: September 1, 2:40 PM PST to 2:45 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 4.45 mi NW of Arden
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.071, -115.279

Flash Flood, Nye

When: September 1, 3:15 PM PST to 4:30 PM PST
Where: Nye County, 10.67 mi SW of Johnnie to 10.66 mi SW of Johnnie
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.295, -116.183

Bell Vista Rd was flooded near Ash Meadows Rd.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 1, 3:28 PM PST to 5:00 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 11.96 mi W of Mountain Spgs to 9.71 mi W of Mountain Spgs
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.046, -115.731

Highway 160 was flooded south of Tecopa Rd.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 1, 5:42 PM PST to 7:00 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 2.72 mi W of Mountain Spgs to 2.44 mi W of Mountain Spgs
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 36.013, -115.568

Highway 160 was flooded near mile marker 25.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 1, 6:00 PM PST to 7:30 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 12.24 mi W of Mountain Spgs to 11.58 mi W of Mountain Spgs
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.040, -115.738

Six swift water rescues, including two of first responders, were needed on Highway 160 near mile marker 34.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 1, 6:41 PM PST to 8:30 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 3.03 mi E of Red Rock Canyon to 3.3 mi E of Red Rock Canyon
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.144, -115.396

Highway 159 was closed from Sky Vista Dr to Highway 160 due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 1, 7:32 PM PST to 9:00 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 2.27 mi ENE of Red Rock Canyon to 2.24 mi ENE of Red Rock Canyon
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.148, -115.411

Water and mud flowed over Calico Basin Rd.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 1, 8:00 PM PST to 10:00 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 14.97 mi NE of Mount Charleston to 15.49 mi NE of Mount Charleston
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.403, -115.399

Highway 95 was closed from Paiute Way to Lee Canyon Rd due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 1, 10:34 PM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 1.79 mi SE of Moapa to 1.19 mi SSE of Moapa
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 36.653, -114.606

Hidden Valley Rd was closed from I-15 to Highway 168 due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 2, 12:45 PM PST to 5:00 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 9.74 mi NW of Las Vegas N Air Term to 1.01 mi SE of Blue Diamond
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.299, -115.345

Numerous streets and intersections were flooded, with water up to car windows in some cases. Several vehicles were stuck, including a city bus, and at least four water rescues were needed. One boy drowned.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 2, 3:00 PM PST to 5:00 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 5.69 mi ESE of (Lsv)nellis Afb Las to 6.52 mi SE of (Lsv)nellis Afb Las
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 36.207, -114.943

The Lake Mead Blvd entrance to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area was closed due to water and debris across the road at Pabco Rd.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 2, 3:15 PM PST to 5:00 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 3.36 mi NW of Moapa to 3.56 mi NW of Moapa
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 36.707, -114.669

Ranch Road was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Clark

When: September 2, 4:27 PM PST to 7:00 PM PST
Where: Clark County, 4.26 mi SW of Jean Arpt to 3.51 mi WNW of Roach
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.725, -115.382

Interstate 15 was completely inundated between mile markers 4 and 7 and closed at the CA/NV state line.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flash Flood, Clark	2023-09-01		Male	Outside/Open Areas	Direct
Flash Flood, Clark	2023-09-02	13	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Direct

What these are

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.
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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Nevada in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Nevada, September 2023

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: 1142370, 1142371, 1142372, 1142379, 1142382, 1142384, 1142386, 1142387, 1142394, 1142398, 1142403, 1142404, 1142405, 1142408, 1142413, 1142414, 1142415, 1142416.