Rainfall in Las Vegas possible all weekend

Powerful Pacific storms are expected to hit Southern Nevada this weekend, dumping up to a half inch of rain on the Las Vegas Valley and a heavy blanket of snow on Mount Charleston.

The National Weather Service on Friday issued a winter storm warning for the Sheep Range, Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon.

By 9 p.m. Friday, weather service officials reported only sprinkles around the Las Vegas Valley and 1-2 inches of wet snow on Mount Charleston.

"We're expecting between one and two feet of snow in the higher elevations" such as on Mount Charleston, weather service Meteorologist Larry Jensen said.

Heavy rain probably will fall this morning as a storm that pounded the Sierra and Northern Nevada made its way across the valley, Jensen said.

Major showers are expected to subside by midday, with a chance for scattered showers in the afternoon and evening.

A second storm might bring more rainfall to the valley on Sunday, Jensen said.

"Really, we're looking at a chance of rain through about Monday morning. When you start talking a quarter to half an inch total, that's really good rainfall."

Breezy to windy conditions were expected in the valley throughout the weekend, with gusts up to 29 mph Saturday night.

Review-Journal writer Annette Wells contributed to this report.