Wind Storms in the Las Vegas Valley

     A typical summer in Las Vegas follows a pretty standard pattern. It is extremely dry, sunny all day, with the temperature typically fluctuating between the high nineties and triple digits. This kind of blistering heat has been consistent for years, but it is not the only hazardous staple during Vegas summers. The extreme wind storms that pass through cause a lot more extreme and economically disastrous harm. The most recent of these intense windstorms swept through the Vegas Valley in early July of this year. It swept through Clark County (my county), thousands of homes were without power. Observation stations from across the county recorded wind speeds of up to 70mph. The gusts themselves are destructive enough, but what makes the storms worse is the amount of sand and dirt that is picked up and swept through the city.

    These kinds of destructive wind gusts are fairly common throughout the city’s history, especially during the summer monsoon seasons. These kinds of wind storms are directly related to the monsoon, where moisture is brought from the south, and contrasting pressure from higher elevations creates these intense wind events. 

    Before these forecasted wind storms I would typically prep my backyard by covering plants, strapping furniture to the ground, and taking anything else inside. During these storms, you can clearly hear grains of dirt and sand scratching against the window panes. This past July, we had multiple road closures due to fallen cable lines and uprooted trees. It was one of the most intense wind storms in years. In recent years, wind storms and monsoon seasons have been lacking. However, I remember many when I was younger, and in the 90s and 2000s, the city had many reports of devastating wind storms. These gusts, especially if they are not followed by rainfall, impair visibility and air quality for weeks afterward. This makes them a very memorable staple of Las Vegas summers.

Sources

NY Post: https://nypost.com/2025/07/02/us-news/intense-windstorm-sweeps-through-las-vegas-creating-dust-storm-and-knocking-out-power/

National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/vef/ClimateofLasVegas

USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/weather/2025/07/02/las-vegas-dust-storms-video/84450593007/