LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Winds ramped up past 40 mph at 8 a.m. and that dropped temperatures to the upper 70s during the morning commute.
Afternoon gusts should still hit 30-40 mph as highs struggle to rebound past the low 80s, which will be the coolest day since early June.
Breaking News | Downed power lines, power outages reported across valley
View of Las Vegas around 8:30 a.m.:
The wind and dry air will yield an elevated fire danger, so a Red Flag Warning is in place today. Please be careful with cigarettes and avoid campfires and outdoor burning.
The wind that picks up this morning should clear much of the smoke out, but it will also elevate the fire danger. Watch your cigarette butts, your campfires, and for the love of God, your gender reveal parties. pic.twitter.com/5RSXDVrHIU
— Justin Bruce (@just1nbruce) September 8, 2020
The thick smoke is starting to clear today as north winds usher in less smoky air, although the strong winds have kicked up enough dust and smoke particles that the air quality is unhealthy.
Current Conditions | 13 First Alert Weather
Breezes will drop under 20 mph tonight, allowing temperatures to dip to the mid and low 60s.
The Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability has also issued an advisory for Sept. 8 for continuing high levels of smoke from California wildfires, and to advise residents and local construction sites of elevated levels of blowing dust due to high winds occurring in our area.
DES Division of Air Quality officials say smoke is made of small dust particles and other pollutants that can aggravate respiratory diseases. Airborne dust is a form of inhalable air pollution called particulate matter or PM, which aggravates respiratory diseases.
Smoke is made of small particles and other pollutants that can aggravate respiratory diseases and contribute to ground-level ozone formation. Exposure to ozone can induce coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath even in healthy people. A seasonal ozone advisory is currently in effect.
The cooler-than-average air stays put on Wednesday (low-80s) and Thursday (mid-80s) and it's nice to know that this is on par with what we'd typically expect in early October, not early September.
